UNION COUNTY, Ind. – A house fire that occurred in Union County earlier this year could cost the county big bucks.
Two Liberty residents claim the county failed when a home caught on fire on Old State Route 101 February 25.
First reported by the Liberty Herald, a 911 report of a structure fire came in around 12:30 a.m. and a police officer was dispatched to the scene, however, did not report and failed to notify dispatchers.
A second 911 call was made three hours later regarding a grass fire in the same location. The Liberty Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched and arrived to a completely burnt structure along with a grass fire.
A tort claim has been filed by Dale Brandt and Monica Sherwood, both of Liberty, in response to damaged personal property in the fire.
The claim alleges county employees failed on three occasions. First, the police officer did not go to the scene of the fire and also failed to notify dispatchers. Also, the claim states that dispatchers did not send out firefighters on the initial call.
Brandt is seeking $75,000 in damages and Sherwood is asking for $125,000 in restitution, the newspaper reports.
