BELLEVILLE – Afton Chemical Corporation has filed a lawsuit against Eagle Industrial Park after a fire broke out in their nearby building, forcing Afton to evacuate employees and temporarily shut down operations.
Plaintiffs Afton Chemical Corporation filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Jiva Resources, Inc., doing business as Eagle Industrial Park and JLC Realty, LLC, doing business as 39 North Properties, citing negligence.
According to the lawsuit, Afton Chemical Corporation owns a plant located in Sauget, which is in close proximity to another property owned and operated by the defendants. The lawsuit states that on Sept. 26, 2022, a fire broke out at the defendants' property, forcing Afton to evacuate its employees and shut down operations for 24 hours. Afton adds that it was called upon by the Sauget Fire Department to assist with extinguishing the fire before it could spread to Afton's property.
Afton claims the defendants were negligent in their failure to properly store hemp fibers on their property. It also claims the defendants failed to install and maintain proper fire suppression and detection systems. Afton claims it has sustained damages in excess of $2,500,000 as a result of the defendants' negligence.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. Afton is represented in this case by attorney James L. Craney of Craney Winters Law Group, LLC in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 23LA0988