Local News in Brief : Suit in Bank Fire Death
The wife and daughter of a custodian killed in the First Interstate Bank fire filed suit Thursday against the bank, the owners of the building and various subcontractors, alleging negligence.
The suit, filed in Superior Court on behalf of Kimberly Jo Handy and 2-year-old Brittany Christine Handy, contends that negligence by the bank and the other firms contributed to Alexander J. Handy’s death in the May 4 blaze in downtown Los Angeles.
The suit, filed by attorney Morris Karch, seeks general damages to be determined at the time of the trial, funeral expenses of $8,817 and other compensation.
Named as defendants are First Interstate Bank of California, Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, which owns the 62-story building, and Amelco Construction Inc., which was installing sprinklers in the building.
Also named as defendants are Pedus Security Services Inc., in charge of notifying authorities of fires in the building, and Otis Elevator Co., which installed elevators in the tower, the tallest in California.
Bank officials could not be reached for comment.
Handy’s wife did not know until June 10 that she became pregnant two months ago, the suit said. The baby’s name will be added to the suit after it is born.
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