The two surviving members of a 2014 Muhlenberg County house fire are filing a lawsuit against a construction company.
The fire killed LaRae Watson and eight of her children after an electric heater ignited combustible materials inside the home. Chad Watson and his daughter, Kylie, are suing Owensboro-basedJagoe Homes, claiming the company hasn’t fulfilled its promise to build the Watsons a new home at no cost.
The lawsuit was first reported by WFIE-14 TV in Evansville. The suit claims the Watsons suffered “severe emotional harm and distress” when they didn’t receive the home they say they were promised.
Owensboro attorney Travis Holtrey is representing Jagoe Homes, and says a response to the lawsuit will be filed soon.
“We have full confidence that after that answer is filed, and after the matter is presented in the proper format, it will be determined that Jagoe Homes did not violate any law," he told WKU Public Radio Wednesday.
Holtrey wouldn't comment on whether or not Jagoe had made a promise regarding the building of a new home for the Watsons.
“Because the word ‘promise’ has a lot of different interpretations when you start thinking legally, especially in terms of a gift.”
Holtrey says Jagoe recognizes the tragedy that took place when the home burned down and is sympathetic to those who lost family and friends.
