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Fairmont City mobile home fire subject of four suits

MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Fairmont City mobile home fire subject of four suits

Ivan Gomez of Fairmont City is suing the mobile home park where his wife, children and uncle perished in a fire on April 8, just three days after the family moved in.

In four separate suits filed Oct. 9 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Gomez seeks damages for personal injuries and wrongful death against Havahome Mobile Home Park and its manager Lisa Oseguera.

He claims his mobile home, located at 5100 Collinsville Rd., did not have fire extinguishers or smoke detectors. One of the two doors to the home was covered over by siding, according to a news report.

His wife, Olivia Gomez, 24, and their children Vanessa 4, and Roman, 2, as well as Olivia's uncle, Joseph Jose Garcia, 54 died in the fire.

The Associated Press reported the family had moved into the home in the HavaHome Mobile Home Park without getting a required inspection of its fitness for occupancy.

Among other things, Gomez claims the defendants failed to comply with municipal fire and safety codes.

Gomez was hospitalized for burns. He seeks damages in excess of $250,000 for his injuries and for mental anguish due to the loss of his immediate family.

He is represented by Amy Collignon Gunn of Simon Passanante of St. Louis.

In separate wrongful death lawsuits filed on behalf of his wife and children, Gomez is seeking in excess of $1.5 million in damages.

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