Suit claims Peabody foam maker caused fire
The
The fire was touched off when polystyrene foam came into contact with a metal halide lighting fixture, the suit says.
The foam, which is used to make coolers, pool noodles and other products, burned for days, releasing a thick smoke that made it too dangerous for firefighters to remain in the building. A decision was made to let the fire burn itself out, officials said at the time.
The suit, filed Thursday in
The letter, from
The letter also required the firm to post signs warning against cellphone use and static electricity, proper labels on all tanks and containers, additional lighting, and signs for the sprinkler room and fire department connection on the outside of the building.
The suit says Lifoam failed to follow at least two of the letter's requirements, including to determine whether the sprinkler system was adequate fire suppression for the materials inside, and to determine the flammability classification of items being stored.
It also "carelessly, negligently and improperly" stored products "in a manner that exacerbated fire growth and resulted in a fire that could not be controlled by the installed fire systems."
The suit also names
The suit alleges that the lighting fixtures were not properly shielded for heat or from the release of the contents of the fixture in the event of damage.
Allain did not return a phone message Friday seeking comment on the suit.
An emailed message to the media relations department at Lifoam's current parent company,
CNE has moved to another nearby building.
Harrison is not a party to the lawsuit.
Courts reporter
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