Dismissal Sought in Bank Fire Case

Defense attorneys for nine companies charged in last year’s fatal fire at the First Interstate Bank building said Wednesday they will try to get the case dismissed before an arraignment can be scheduled.

The defense lawyers said they will argue next month that the actions prosecutors accuse their clients of committing do not constitute a crime.

The lawyers appeared in Municipal Court on Wednesday for arraignment in the case but obtained a postponement at least until after they argue their dismissal motion July 26.

The nine companies, including First Interstate Bank of California, were charged with 12 misdemeanors last month in connection with the May 4, 1988, fire at the bank building in downtown Los Angeles. Alexander Handy, 24, a maintenance engineer at the 62-floor structure, died in the fire moments after riding an elevator to the 12th floor, where the blaze broke out, and where he was exposed to 2,000-degree heat.

The charges against the defendants include state labor code violations, such as blocking a fire exit, failing to maintain fire equipment and failing to maintain an accident protection program.