City files lawsuit in case of refuse truck hit by fire

3/30/2012
BLADE STAFF

The city of Toledo filed a civil lawsuit in Lucas County Common Pleas Court Thursday against a homeowner who officials claim placed flammable materials out for collection that sparked a fire, causing thousands of dollars in damage to a city garbage truck.

The lawsuit names Paula Riley as the resident in a Belmont Avenue home owned by Willie and Bev Riley. In the complaint, the city claims that after Ms. Riley's trash container was picked up on Sept. 15, 2010, and placed in the garbage truck, "it did ignite and damage and destroy the city's garbage truck."

The city is seeking a reimbursement of $16,866.16 for the repairs to the truck plus an additional $4,216.54 in administrative fees for a total judgment of $21,082.70.