The suit, filed in Northampton County Court, said the fire at the six-unit building at 503-505 Kingwood St. caused $448,000 in damages, plus clean up expenses of $5,000 and lost rental income of $8,200.
Owners Syed and Neelofar Hussain of Bethlehem Township and their insurers said the Nov. 16, 2007, blaze was the result of a power surge when Met Ed returned power to tenant Shaneese Green, who had been mistakenly shut off.
Firefighters from five departments responded to the blaze. No one was hurt, but 13 people from six families were displaced.
Palmer Township fire officials have ruled the fire accidental and said it started in a basement unit.
According to the suit, electricity was still flowing when firefighters arrived. It says Met Ed is responsible for damages because of "negligence, carelessness and recklessness."
Scott Surgeoner, a spokesman for First Energy, Met Ed's parent company, declined to comment, saying the utility does not usually discuss matters in litigation.
The suit seeks an unspecified amount of damages. It also names Green and Ohio-based First Energy as defendants.
riley.yates@mcall.com
610-559-2109
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