WILLIAMSPORT – An insurance company is seeking damages from a Mifflinburg woman after a candle started a fire at a rental property.
State Auto Property and Casualty Insurance Co., as subrogee of 535 Inc., filed a complaint on Nov. 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Kim Eagan Woods alleging negligence and breach of lease/contract.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff insured 535 Inc.'s Lewisburg property, which was leased to the defendant. The suit states on March 6, 2016, the defendant left a candle unattended and caused a fire that severely damaged the property. The plaintiff alleges it paid more than $75,000 to 535 Inc. per the terms of its policy.
The plaintiff holds Woods responsible because the defendant allegedly violated applicable building and fire codes and failed to extinguish a candle before leaving the room.
The plaintiff seeks judgment against the defendant in an amount that exceeds $75,000 plus interest, court costs and any further relief the court grants. It is represented by Christopher H. Boyle and Michael D. O'Donnell of Cozen O'Connor in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania case number 4:17-cv-02099-MWB