Lawsuit filed after trash truck sparked deadly Sandalwood Fire in Calimesa
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - A lawsuit has been filed against a waste hauler whose truck driver dumped burning refuse by a Southern California road, sparking a fire that killed two people and destroyed scores of homes.
Lawyers for homeowners say a civil suit was filed in Riverside on Tuesday alleging CR&R Inc. placed business interests ahead of public safety.
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The fire was sparked Oct. 10 when the driver dumped the burning trash in the community of Calimesa. The fire quickly spread to the nearby mobile home community.
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The suit says a passer-by pleaded with the driver not to unload the trash amid high winds.
Waste industry experts have said drivers are trained to find a safe place to unload burning trash in a truck fire.
A message was sent to CR&R seeking comment.