Woman sued for $2 million after boyfriend torches squirrel on apartment deck, starts massive fire | The Woodsman Hut | Forums

Jon, you should really stop playing woodsman in the city

HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, MI -- A woman who signed an apartment lease with her boyfriend and allegedly agreed to be liable for any smoke or water damage, faces a $2 million lawsuit after he attempted to cook a squirrel and started a massive fire with a torch.

Two lawsuits have been filed in Ottawa County Circuit Court by insurance companies that covered damages after the Oct. 10, 2012 fire at ClearView Apartments. The complex is located at 120th Avenue and Riley Street in Holland Township.

Khek Chanthalavong told investigators the blaze started after he had been using a torch on the deck of a unit he shared with Barbara Pellow, to burn the fur off a squirrel he'd captured. Once the fur was removed, he placed the torch in the corner of their deck, next to a plastic plant holder. He then went inside to cook the rodent.

Pellow awoke to Chanthalavong yelling and throwing water on flames that were quickly growing on the deck. The fire spread and caused major damage to 32 units in the couple's building. Pellow told police she had no knowledge of the torch being used.

Traveler's Indemnity Company insured Clearview and was required to make payments in excess of $2 million for damages, repair and restoration, court records show.

The insurance company is suing Pellow for that amount. She, through her lease, agreed to be responsible for any damages caused by either she or Chanthalavong, the insurance company claims.

"Pellow is contractually obligated to Travelers for the full amount of any and all damages from the fire and water damage including the actual costs of repairing or replacing the damaged property as well as any loss of rental income suffered by Clearview related to the fire and water damage," a complaint filed in Ottawa County reads.

The suit is one of two that are pending after the fire.

Auto Owners Insurance Company is taking issue with both Pellow and Chanthalavong.

Documents show Auto Owners insured three units in the building damaged by fire. The company paid out $56,529.52 in damages.

The company claims Pellow and Chanthalavong together had "a duty to act with reasonable care on the apartment premises." They breached that duty through the use of a flammable device on property they were renting, the Auto Owners claim alleges.

Both cases are in their early stages of civil litigation.

http://www.mlive.com.....after.html