Companies in fatal fire blame victims

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - Two companies being sued by the families of three veterinary students who died after being trapped in a burning Willows of Coventry apartment are responding to the claims in part by blaming the victims.

The lawsuit was filed in December in Allen County against building owner Dial Equities and the parent company of International Business College, which rented the property.
A response from the companies blames the students as well as an "unidentified arsonist" and others.

The January 2009 fire killed 19-year-old students Jennifer Spurgeon of Winamac, Ind., and Lara Punches of Defiance, Ohio, and 18-year-old Renae Patton of Ottawa, Ohio.

The fire was blamed on a faulty electrical outlet.

Mark Matthes, a lawyer for the families, said blaming the women is a "rough path to take."

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