February 20, 1978

Lawsuits filed after fires

      Five recent mobile home fires at Wheel Estates South have resulted in a series of lawsuits in Johnson Superior Court, which seek a total of $71,000 in damages.  In two lawsuits filed recently, an attorney for the residents of those homes charged that the fires were due to negligence on the part of the owners and managers of Wheel Estates South.  The named as defendants in the suit are Turtle Creek Management Inc. and Basic American Industries Inc., both doing business as Wheel Estates South.  The suits were filed by attorney Phil Wilson, who stated in one that “the fires and subsequent damage and injury to the plaintiffs were a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the defendants.”

         In the complaint filed on behalf of Phillip and Tammy Burton, who were renting a mobile home which was destroyed by fire January 1, Wilson alleged that the blaze was the result of a gas leak.  The Burtons seek a judgment of $6,000 as compensation for the contents of their home.  The other suit was filed on behalf of Helen F. Bradley, Frankie B. Morrison, Jerry and Marilyn Leeper, and Cecilia Heldman.  The Morrison, Leeper and Bradley homes were destroyed in fires on December 6, the suit states, while the Heldman residence was destroyed in a blaze the following day.  Although the alleged act of negligence was not named in the suit, Wilson said he will attempt to prove in court that an oil distribution system at the trailer court was the cause of these fires.  Wilson said the four trailers were among those supplied by fuel oil lines for heating purposes.  He said pressure in the lines was too high, causing the seal in pumps located within each trailer to burst.  Oil leaking from these pumps apparently ignited, he added.  The lawsuit seeks $35,000 in damages for Miss Bradley, $15,000 for Morrison, $8,000 for Mr. and Mrs. Leeper, and $9,000 for Mrs. Heldman.  John Start, listed in court documents as resident agent for both defendants, was not immediately available for comment.  Helen F. Bradley, Jerry Leeper, Marilyn Leeper, Cecilia Heldman and Frankie Morrison vs. Basic American Industries Inc. d/b/a Wheel Estates South, and Turtle Creek Management Inc., d/b/a Wheel Estates South, complaint for damages.  Phillip Burton and Tammy Burton vs. Basic American Industries Inc., d/b/a Wheel Estates South, and Turtle Creek Management Inc., d/b/a Wheel Estates South, complaint for damages.

 

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