Chester County

Two lawsuits seeking class action status allege that Chester County's decision to reopen CBCL, a plastics recycling company in the No. 3 Mill in Great Falls, was responsible for a fire because it did not comply with fire and safety codes. An Emergency Management Director tried to close down the company before the fire occurred, stating that it was a safety hazard. Approximately 1,200 residents of Great Falls evacuated their homes for up to seven days when a fire broke out at the Mill. The lawsuits allege the business was not properly safeguarded against fire. One suit accuses the company and the county of negligence in not preventing the fire. The other suit accuses the company and the property owners of negligence.