PHILADELPHIA, PA — A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Westover Property Management Company L.P., alleging the company failed to maintain the Oak Forest Apartments in Reading, contributing to a June fire that destroyed multiple apartment buildings, displaced dozens of residents and caused extensive property damage.
The complaint, filed in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas by Philadelphia law firm Anapol Weiss, seeks monetary and equitable relief on behalf of three former residents and other tenants affected by the fire.
The lawsuit alleges Westover failed to properly construct, inspect, maintain and repair electrical equipment and other building systems, allowing hazardous conditions that ultimately led to the fire. The allegations have not been proven in court, and Westover has not publicly responded to the claims outlined in the complaint.
According to the lawsuit, the fire began around 8:45 p.m. on June 11 in Building G of the apartment complex. Firefighters responded before 9 p.m., but the blaze spread to the building’s roof, which later collapsed, before extending into neighboring Building H.
The fire was extinguished by approximately 2:30 a.m., according to the complaint. In addition to fire and smoke damage, the plaintiffs allege water from sprinkler systems and high temperatures contributed to mold growth in units that were not directly burned.
The plaintiffs contend routine inspections would have identified alleged fire code violations and electrical hazards before the incident occurred.
“This case involves people’s homes and lives,” co-lead counsel Kila Baldwin said. “Westover Property Management should have been regularly maintaining the complex to uphold safety standards. Because of their negligence, families were harmed and homes were destroyed.”
The lawsuit states that dozens of residents were displaced, many apartments were declared total losses and some tenants suffered fire-related injuries in addition to the loss of personal property.
“Our goal is to help the fire victims find relief,” attorney Kevin Fay said. “Westover Property Management is ultimately responsible for making sure disasters like this do not occur.”
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for property losses, relocation costs, loss of access to their homes and other expenses related to the fire. The case will proceed in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
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