Features
Engelstad Fire Lawsuit Continues
The company accused of negligence in the 2011 fire at the 12,000-capacity Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D., filed a motion Nov. 1 to have the lawsuit against it tossed out of federal court.
Photo: facebook.com/RalphEngelstadArena
The motion filed by audio and video equipment manufacturer Harman Professional Inc., and parent company Harman International Industries, claims the economic loss doctrine doesn’t allow the arena to recover damages.
The lawsuit filed by Arena Holdings Charitable and RE Arena Inc., accuses Harman of negligence and seeks $5 million. Arena officials claim the fire was caused by an “improperly energized” speaker that left smoke damage and damage to electronics.
Harman officials deny the claim, saying arena staff were at fault.