A neighbor of New Hope Community Church, Assembly of God filed
suit Wednesday against the church, claiming negligence caused the
June 2007 fire that damaged a fence surrounding a house in the
Villagio housing development and charred three acres of a grassy
lot owned by the New Hope Community Church.
A neighbor of New Hope Community Church, Assembly of God filed suit Wednesday against the church, claiming negligence caused the June 2007 fire that damaged a fence surrounding a house in the Villagio housing development and charred three acres of a grassy lot owned by the New Hope Community Church.
In addition, resident Lisa Malinowski claims the fire damaged her property and that dead and severely damaged trees and vegetation continue to threaten her property.
“Further, Plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer from discomfort and annoyance and emotional distress due to the fear for her safety caused by Defendant’s past and continued acts of trespass and nuisance toward Plaintiff and her property,” according to the suit. “Plaintiff requests an award of general and or special damages as a result of such injury.”
The suit asks for an unspecified amount in damages.
The fire likely started on the north side of the church’s field, across from the houses, and was swept south by the wind, said Division Chief Ed Bozzo. The fire department had identified the field as a hazard and asked the church to cut the brush months earlier, he said.
After identifying the field as a hazard, fire crews planned how they would put out a fire on the property. Therefore, their response was quick and concerted when it occurred, Bozzo said.
