Pennsylvania Families Blame Hydrant Failures For Losses of Homes to Fires

Posted by: Curt Varone May 11, 2023 0

Two families who lost their homes in separate fires after firefighters were unable to get water from area fire hydrants, have filed separate lawsuits against the local water authority and township. The suits claim the defendants were aware of the problems with the hydrant system but failed to rectify the situation.

Bucky Lattanzo and his wife lost their home in Dunbar Township in March 2021. Gail and Joseph Layman lost their home in January, 2022. Lattanzo and the Laymans have filed suit blaming the North Fayette Water Authority and Dunbar Township.  Lattanzo also attributes the death of his wife eight months after the fire to stress from the loss.

Here is a copy of the Layman complaint:

US_DIS_PAWD_2_22cv1605_d154410698e712_COMPLAINT_against_DUNBAR_TOWNSHIP_NORTH_FAYETTE_WADownload

Here is a copy of the Lattanzo complaint:

US_DIS_PAWD_2_23cv407_d156359327e476_COMPLAINT_against_DUNBAR_TOWNSHIP_NORTH_FAYETTE_CODownload

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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