The family and estate of a man killed in a January house fire has filed a $1 million wrongful death claim against the city of Scottsbluff and its fire department.
The January 26th fire killed 92-year-old Salome Blanco Sr. His wife, Ramona, escaped the blaze.
Scottsbluff attorney Maren Chaloupka is representing the Blanco family. In the claim, it states firefighters were unreasonably delayed in responding to the fire and were inadequately equipped.
Fire Marshall's say that hot ashes from a stove were not properly disposed of, and ignited the back porch of the home. The fire scorched one side of the Blanco's home, as well as a neighboring home.
The claim offers a settlement proposal of $1 million.
The claim signals the family is prepared to sue. If the claim is denied or no action is taken within six months, the family may then file a lawsuit.
Scottsbluff City Manager Rick Kuckkahn says he cannot comment on the tort claim.
