Industry Noize: Engelstad Fire Lawsuit Tossed

A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit alleging an audio and video manufacturer is responsible for a 2011 fire at the 12,000-capacity Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D.

The suit filed by Arena Holdings Charitable and RE Arena Inc. accused audio equipment manufacturer Harman Professional Inc. and parent company Harman International Industries of negligence.

Photo: facebook.com/RalphEngelstadArena

They wanted $5 million. Venue officials claim the fire was the result of an “improperly energized” speaker that left smoke damage and damage to electronics.

Harman officials denied the claim, saying venue staff caused the damage through “negligence, misuse of product and assumption of risk or other fault.”

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