Woman On Hook For Up To $2 Million After Squirrel Torching Caused Fire
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - The Michigan Court of Appeals says a woman whose boyfriend started a huge apartment building fire while preparing to cook a squirrel is liable for up to $2 million in damages.
The court on Tuesday reversed an earlier ruling that limited Barbara Pellow's damages to about $15,000, according to reports.
Authorities say Pellow's boyfriend, Khek Chanthalavong, planned to cook the squirrel and was using a torch to burn the fur off the rodent while on a deck at Clearview Apartments in Ottawa County's Holland Township in 2012.
After removing the fur, Chanthalavong went inside to prepare his meal, but accidentally left the torch on. About 15 minutes later, Chanthalavong smelled something burning and saw his balcony in flames.
The fire spread to the roof, completely destroying eight apartments and damaging 32 other units. The blaze was ruled accidental. Although the fire displaced 29 families, no residents were injured. A responding firefighter broke a toe.
An insurance company paid more than $2 million for repairs and sued Pellow to recover costs since she was registered tenant, not the boyfriend.
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