PITTSBURGH — The owners of a convenience store in Buena Vista are claiming a defective slushie machine was the cause of a fire that destroyed their property and business.
Shree Vinayak Inc., doing business as Trail View Neighborhood Convenience Store, Pranvav Shah and Malti Pranav Shah filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Cab Contruzione Attrezzature Bar S.P.A., doing business as CAB S.P.A., J&J Snack Foods Corp and Slush Puppy Tri-State alleging negligence, breach of implied and express warranties and other claims.
According to the plaintiffs' complaint, a fire broke out at their business in Buena Vista on Nov. 20, 2020. They claim the fire originated from a slushie machine that spontaneously combusted during the night when the business was closed, which destroyed the store and their apartment above the store.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants' failed to design and manufacture a product that functioned properly, failed to inspect or test the machine and failed to make sure the machine's component parts applied with applicable standards.
They further allege the defendants' negligence for failing to train its employees on the assembling, manufacturing and distribution of their machines, not warning of the hazard and not providing adequate instructions regarding its slushie machine.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Vincent Coppola of Pribanic & Pribanic in Pittsburgh.