Burnt pizza was the least of Farmington Country Club‘s worries when an oven fire caused substantial devastation to the property four years ago. Today, Farmington is seeking $1.3 million in damages with an Albemarle County Circuit Court case against the cleaning company it says directly caused the fire.
 The Farmington Country Club blames Cannon’s High Pressure Cleaning, Inc. for a 2003 grease fire that started within the vent hood and ductwork of a brick pizza oven located in one of the restaurants in the country club. |
On November 3, 2003, a fire started within the vent hood and ductwork of a brick pizza oven located in one of the restaurants in the country club. The fire spread to the roof and caused extensive damage to the entire premises. According to the complaint, officials concluded that an accumulation of grease in the exhaust ductwork, which was then ignited by embers in the wood-burning oven, caused the fire.
Up to that point, Farmington had relied on Cannon’s High Pressure Cleaning, Inc. of Farmville, Virginia, to clean its oven equipment on a quarterly basis. Cannon’s had sole responsibility for the cleanliness of the oven equipment and thus, Farmington is placing sole blame on Cannon’s for the fire. As stated in the complaint, the cost of the damages to Farmington amounted to $1.3 million, which it has requested from Cannon’s and not yet received.
Farmington is now seeking legal justice against Cannon’s with a complaint consisting of five counts, all revolving around the inability of the company to fulfill its responsibilities in a professional and non-negligent manner. Cannon’s is formally accused of negligence, breach of contract, breach of express and implied warranties and gross negligence. Shortly after the complaint was issued, Cannon’s contested two of the charges, but the judge denied its request and all five counts are still being heard.
The trial date for the case is June 9, 2008. In the meantime, Cannon’s has filled out a mediation certification form, suggesting that it is seeking an alternative means of resolution.
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