The Region - News from Feb. 14, 1986

Four insurance companies have filed a $2.2-million lawsuit against Pepperdine University to recover claims they had to pay to dozens of Baldwin Hills residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed in an arson fire last July. Fire Insurance Exchange, Farmers Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange and Mid-Century Insurance Co. said they had to pay $2,216,482 to Baldwin Hills homeowners after the fire burned 66 homes and killed three people. The Superior Court suit claims that Pepperdine is partly responsible for the blaze because it neglected to clear weeds growing on the university-owned land at La Brea Avenue, where the fire started. It also names the City of Los Angeles for failing to enforce an ordinance requiring that dry brush be trimmed. Pepperdine spokesman Larry Baumgartner declined to comment. Earlier this month, another insurance firm filed a $1.1-million suit against Los Angeles and Pepperdine to recover claims.