National

Lawsuit Launched Over Fire On Historic Street In New Westminster

The Canadian Press, 14 Oct, 2015 11:41 AM

VANCOVUER, B.C. — Legal action has been launched against a roofing firm after a massive fire destroyed a historic block of businesses in New Westminster, B.C.

The Oct. 10, 2013 fire on Columbia Street destroyed or damaged several buildings and businesses including the E.L. Lewis building — which belonged to one family for more than a century.

A notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court alleges breach of duty of care, fault and negligence by Taves Roofing Ltd., and the building's landlords, William Evan Lewis and Copp's Shoes.

The lawsuit was filed by the insurance provider on behalf of Karmavore Vegan Shop, Gold Brides Inc. and Moody Beads Ltd., and alleges the fire started after roofing work was done on the building.

The allegations have yet to be tested in court, and the defendants have not yet filed statements of defence.

The Karmavore Vegan store was owned by Salim Jamal, who is named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit. However, Jamal said the suit filed by the insurance provider was a surprise to him and he was not informed of it.

Last October, New Westminster police announced there would be no charges over the fire because investigators couldn't determine its cause.

Coun. Jaimie McEvoy said at the time that it was the worst fire the city had seen since the Great Fire of 1898 ravaged a third of the city's waterfront and downtown core.

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