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The Christchurch lines company Orion settled with insurance company IAG for the homes and possessions destroyed in the 2017 Port Hills fires.
The Christchurch Superior Court is currently hearing a complaint from a group of residents who allege that Orion components started the fire on Early Valley Rd, while the Christchurch Adventure Park chairlift spread another fire. Both companies deny responsibility.
The 73 plaintiffs are seeking to recover $ 14.7 million of alleged losses, of which nearly $ 6 million are for uninsured losses. The action is being coordinated by IAG on behalf of the plaintiffs.
Alden Williams / Stuff
The Port Hills fire in February 2017 spanned 1,600 hectares. (File photo)
An IAG spokeswoman confirmed that “a confidential and satisfactory business agreement has been reached with Orion regarding the Port Hills Superior Fire Court proceedings.”
READ MORE:
* The fire service ‘aware’ chairlift was running during the Port Hills fire, and did not ask for it to stop
* Owner used milk, toilet water, and hot water tank to fight the Port Hills fire
* Orion Denies Failure to Cooperate in Port Hills Fire Investigation, Court Hears
* Port Hills Fire Liability Hearing to Begin
A statement from Orion said the deal was without any admission of liability on Orion’s part.
Outgoing CEO Rob Jamieson said Orion remained confident in the integrity and security of its network.
He said the fires “had tragic consequences and Orion extends its deepest condolences to those affected.”
Orion is 89.3% owned by Christchurch City Council through its investment arm, Christchurch City Holdings Limited (CCHL), with the remaining shares owned by the Selwyn District Council.
CCHL CEO Paul Munro said taxpayers would not bear the costs of the deal.
STACY SHIELDS
Doug and Vikki Pflaum were one of nine homeowners who lost their homes in the Port Hills fires of 2017.
It is understood that the attorneys representing Orion were not in court last week. The hearing, which is scheduled for nine weeks, is on recess this week.
Christchurch Adventure Park General Manager Anne Newman confirmed that the park is continuing the trial in court.
He said he could not comment further as the trial continued.
A large fire started on Early Valley Rd in Lansdowne on February 13, 2017. A second started near Summit Rd, near Sign of the Kiwi, later the same day.
The fires had coalesced on the night of February 15. They spanned 1,600 hectares, destroying nine houses and damaging another five. They were largely under control on February 28 and were declared extinct on April 20.
In August, the court heard how volunteer firefighter Ken McKenzie used whatever fluids he could find, including milk from the refrigerator and water from the toilet tank, to protect his home and how Chris Bayley and his daughter drove through the flames. to escape the fire.
