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Man Who Started Reservoir Road Fire May Sue Firefighters

LOVELAND, Colo. (CBS4)- The man convicted of starting the Reservoir Road fire may sue the firefighters who helped put it out.

Joel Ledermann started the 750-acre fire while burning yard debris in September 2010. Two homes burned and 300 homes were evacuated.

Joel Ledermann
Joel Ledermann (credit: Loveland Police Dept.)

Ledermann has laid the ground work to sue more than a dozen agencies. He has filed a legal claim against the 13 fire departments that put the fire out. The claim will examine the response times and strategy on fighting the fire for all the agencies involved. The filing also opens the door for a lawsuit.

"We understand the individual involved is following his legal rights, we understand that," said Loveland Fire Chief Randy Mirowski.
Loveland Fire is one of the departments named in the claim. Mirowski has had to explain to his firefighters that the claim is simply a legal move.

"I think it's crazy, because I thought they did an excellent job. If it wasn't for the slurry bombers and the helicopters, we may have burned up, too," said fire evacuee Arnie Stroschein.

The claim isn't sitting well with Arnie and Karol Stroschein who were evacuated from their home.

reservoir-road-fire
Reservoir Road Fire in Larimer County in Sept. 2010 (credit: CBS)

"We stood out there for eight hours watching that and praying," said fire evacuee Karol Stroschein.

"It's not about what the fire departments did, but he doesn't want to be in debt the rest of his life for what he caused," said Arnie.

"It's my opinion that nothing will come of this," said Mirowski.

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