Defendants seek dismissal of wrongful fire death lawsuit

RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) - Defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit following a November fire that left two people dead and several others injured in eastern Indiana are asking for the case to be dismissed.

The Palladium-Item reports Interfaith Housing Corp., Justus Property Management and others responded to the lawsuit over the death of 56-year-old Richard Wilkinson that was filed by his son. The motion says the lawsuit doesn't detail alleged negligence that led to Wilkinson's death.

The lawsuit says there was an "unreasonably dangerous environment" for Wilkinson. He was found in a stairwell and was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Forty-eight-year-old Andrew J. Thornburg also died following the Nov. 19 fire in Richmond. Authorities determined the fire started accidentally on a futon in Thornburg's apartment due to smoking.

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Information from: Palladium-Item, http://www.pal-item.com