MEDIA – A Delaware County woman claims that while performing its services, a roofing company set fire to her home and caused more than $77,000 in damages to her residence.
Lauren Esterbrook of Ridley Park filed suit in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas on July 17 versus KO Roofing, LLC, of Glenolden.
“On or about Jan. 19, 2022, the plaintiff resided at 335 Gorsuch Street in Folsom, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Plaintiff was a tenant at the 335 Gorsuch Street address. Her landlord and the owner of the building was Stephen J. Sweeney, who occupied the first floor,” the suit says.
“On about Jan. 19, 2022, the defendant, KO Roofing, LLC, was installing a new roof at the 335 Gorsuch Street address. On the date and time in question, the employees of the defendant were utilizing a torch to apply roofing material to a flat roof area on the B side of the residence, to the right of the second floor sliding door.”
The suit adds that at the time the defendant’s employees were applying the roof material and utilizing the torch, they negligently caused the roof to ignite directly where they were working, which eventually caused a fire.
“The fire caused by the defendant’s employees quickly spread and eventually engulfed the entire property at 335 Gorsuch Sheet, including the second floor unit occupied by the plaintiff. As a result of the defendant causing a fire to ignite, the plaintiff was forced completely out of her residence and all of her personal property and belongings were consumed within the file. The defendant, its employees and/or agents (including the workers on site on the day of the incident) were careless, reckless and negligent in installing the new roof on the property at 335 Gorsuch Street as follows: (a) Negligently allowed the flame from the torch to ignite the roof and the interior walls; (b) Negligently allowed the flame from the torch to enter the void between the wall and the rear of the house; (c) Failing to take adequate precautions to prevent the flame from the defendant’s torch from causing a fire; (d) Being otherwise careless, reckless and negligent under the circumstances,” the suit states.
“As a result of the defendant’s carelessness, recklessness and negligence as set forth above, the plaintiff has suffered economic damages totaling in excess of $77,253 to her personal property and belongings. As a result of the negligence of the defendant, the plaintiff was forced to incur expenses relating to alternative living arrangements. As a result of the negligence of the defendant, the plaintiff continues to suffer economic damages.”
For one count of negligence, the plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, together with interests, costs and attorney’s fees.
The plaintiff is represented by Guy N. Paolino of Forbes Bender & Paolino, in Media.
The defendant has not yet secured legal counsel.
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas case CV-2023-006058
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com