Richmond residents file class-action lawsuit against owner of facility that caught fire

RICHMOND — Richmond residents impacted by a massive industrial fire earlier this month have filed a class-action lawsuit against the man who owned the facility and his company.

A class-action lawsuit was filed in Wayne County Courts Thursday against the man who owned the plastics recycling facility located at 308 NW F Street, and his company Cornerstone Trading Group LLC.

The plaintiffs listed in the suit lived in the area required to evacuate due to the fire or owned businesses in the area.

The lawsuit alleges that for several years prior to the fire, the property owner “failed to take any affirmative steps to remedy the unsafe ultra-hazardous conditions that existed within the Industrial Facility and surrounding grounds.”

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News Center 7 previously reported that in July 2019 an unsafe building order in relation to the facility was filed with the Wayne County Recorder. The current property owner was listed as the owner of the facility during this time.

As a result of the large fire on April 11, around 2,000 people were ordered to evacuate their homes — resulting in businesses having to close their doors and some residents being unable to work, the lawsuit alleges.

The orders weren’t lifted until Sunday, April 16.

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Residents also said due to noxious fumes and hazardous materials they experienced adverse health effects including, but not limited to inhalation of toxic smoke, headaches, breathing complications, headaches, dizziness, skin rashes and chest pain — as well as “great physical, emotional and psychological pain and suffering,” the lawsuit states.

The fire also caused residents’ property value to experience a “rapid decline,” court documents state.

Three plaintiffs are listed on court documents but the lawsuit states that “hundreds, if not thousands, more persons exist for this class.”

The lawsuit asks for compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $25,000, as well as attorney and legal fees and other monetary relief to which the plaintiffs may be entitled.

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