BELLEVILLE — Several companies claim they suffered property losses after an April fire due to a faulty sprinkler system in a rented warehouse.
Bill Cockrum Liquidations LLC, BCL Restaurant Supply LLC, Bill Cockrum, individually and as sole owner of Bill Cockrum Liquidations. LLC and BCL Restaurant Supply Inc., filed a complaint Sept. 18 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Legions Trust 03-90-07440, Trustee Jay Dinklemann, Jay Dinkelmann, individually and as Trustee of Legions Trust 03-90-07440, Sauget Properties Inc., and Sauget Warehouse Trust, alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs rented commercial warehouse property in East St. Louis that was owned and controlled by the defendants. The plaintiffs allege that a fire that occurred at the warehouses on April 16, caused the "complete" loss of their property stored in the warehouses and caused "irreparable harm and damage."
The plaintiffs claim the defendants negligently failed to follow the City of East St. Louis' International Fire Code that requires the inspection and testing of fire protection systems. The plaintiffs also claim that during the April fire, the sprinkler systems in the warehouses were "inoperable and impaired" and were defective. They claim there were issues with the dry pump valves, which were allegedly "broken or corroded," and piping that was "missing components."
The plaintiffs seek monetary compensation and all other just relief. They are represented by Brian Plegge of Brown & James PC in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 20-L-0713