Banana Distributor Chiquita Company Sued Over Fire Incident by Massachusetts Restaurant Owners

Massachusetts restaurant owners filed a lawsuit against the banana distributor company, Chiquita, blaming the company's truck loaded with banana for the fire that burned their business establishment. The owner claims the banana truck overturned, sparking a fire on the 2012 incident.

According to ABC News, David Salvatore, a representing owner of the restaurant Old Grist Mill Tavern in Seekonk says the said truck of bananas rolled over in June 2012, broke a natural gas line that started the fire. He also added that the improperly loaded of the fruits contributed the accident.

The lawsuit listed the names of the defendants, including, Chiquita Fresh North America, based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, the owner and driver of the truck, and a freight company. "It is not accidental that banana truck accidents are a thing of legend and song," Salvatore added.

He says the truck has overfilling containers with bananas which can overturn, the potential for a tip is made more likely on long curves, the Sun Chronicle reported. The said lawsuit filed in Bristol County Superior Court seeks "unspecified damages" link to the fire incident. The distributor company, Chiquita Fresh North America has also denied the negligence allegations.

Columbia Gas could not comment on pending litigation, said by Sheila Doiron, the spokesperson for the gas company. "We value our business relationship with the Old Grist Mill, and are involved in a continuing effort to a successful resolution of the pending matter," WPRI quoted.

On the other hand, Chiquita also blamed the owners for the damages. The company says, the damages were caused by their "own negligence, which equaled or exceeded the combined negligence" of the defendants.

Owner of the said restaurant, Greg Esmay said he's baffled by Chiquita's allegations. Due to the damage and building reconstruction bills, the restaurant did not open its business until late 2014. The Esmays also said the incident cost them millions of dollars in business and rebuilding costs.

Tags

Chiquita Banana, Old Grist Mill Tavern Lawsuit, Banana Truck, Chiquita Truck, Massachusetts Restaurant fire

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