An Elmhurst couple is suing a local power company, alleging damages incurred after a utility pole burst into flames.
Tim and Linda McCarthy filed a lawsuit May 28 in Cook County Circuit Court against Commonwealth Edison Co., citing negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs own property at 127 Chandler Ave., Elmhurst, that's adjacent to a utility pole owned by the defendant, and on May 28, 2012, the electric wires "running vertically down the pole ... were exposed to the elements and the wind, causing the utility pole to burst into flames, which caused damage" to the McCarthys' property.
The suit says the defendant failed to: conduct a reasonable inspection of the pole; monitor the vertical riser line guards on the pole; construct the pole with riser line guards; replace the line guards when it was apparent they needed to be; and provide safety equipment so the pole would function in extreme weather.
The McCarthys seek damages in excess of $20,000, plus court costs. They are represented by attorney John P. O'Malley of Schuyler, Roche & Crisham in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L005436.