Father charged $7,500 after fire kills son


Wednesday, July 16, 2008 | 1 comment(s)

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EUGENE (AP) — An unemployed man whose 4-year-old boy died in a fire last year at a rented duplex in Springfield now faces a $7,500 bill for damages.

The boy’s father, 24-year-old Kevin Freeman, is facing a small claims suit filed by a collection agency that took over the debt from Umbrella Properties, the firm that owns the rental.

A fire investigation determined Freeman placed fireworks in a second-floor walk-in closet on July 3, 2007.

His son, Caleb, ignited them early the next morning while the family slept.

Several family members were injured trying to save the boy, who was at the back of the closet with the intense fire blocking his escape.

Freeman is jobless with a back injury, and says he cannot afford any more bills.

The property management firm owner says it usually tries to reach a compromise over damages but Freeman never responded to the bill for damages.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com
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Does he expect pity wrote on Jul 16, 2008 11:59 PM:

Is someone else expected to eat the debt created by his negligence that allowed not only his son to die, but someone elses property to burn down, as well as the loss and risk of life to his neighbors in the other duplex?

I assume he could afford fireworks, as well as god only knows what else, but not a few dollars a month renters insurance?

Of course it's tragic, but it is his bill nonetheless.


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