A summary of Southern California-related business litigation developments during the past week.

Government Sues Defunct Firm for Fire: The federal government sued Builder’s Hardware Finishers Inc. and its operators, seeking $505,561 in cleanup costs for a 1988 chemical fire that forced the evacuation of more than 4,000 homes and businesses in the Lincoln Heights area. The government also seeks $25,000 in damages for each day owners of the now-defunct firm persist in failing to identify what chemicals were stored at the plant. The firm, which was in business for two years, operated a metal finishing and plating shop. Cyanide salts, degreasing solvents and other hazardous materials were stored at the site and the fire created the potential for the release of deadly hydrogen cyanide gas, the suit said. (Case No. 90-5428. Filed Oct. 9, 1990).