Plaintiff takes the stand in Elks building suit

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A property damage trial stemming from a fire at downtown Dickinson’s Historic Elks Building continued Tuesday at the Stark County Courthouse, and the plaintiff took the stand.

Several lawsuits have stemmed from an Oct. 15, 2007, fire in the building that damaged adjacent Wells Fargo Bank.

After contractors performing work on the Elks building had gone home for the day, hot smoldering slag ignited combustible materials and a fire ensued, according to court documents.

Power was cut to the bank during firefighting efforts, causing a basement sump pump to stop, which later caused E.coli to spread throughout the building. Water used to extinguish the fire flooded the basement of Wells Fargo, saturated walls, ceilings and floors, causing an emission of asbestos.

Scott Biggs leased 11 offices above the bank and is suing Wells Fargo for property damage after all his property was removed from the site, some of which he claims was damaged and missing.

Among the missing items was $12,000 and electronic equipment.

Biggs took the stand Tuesday.

“It wasn’t my decision to trash any of my property, sir,” Biggs said to Lawrence Klemin, the attorney representing Wells Fargo.

The trial continues today beginning at 9 a.m.

Tags: wells fargo, news, local, lawsuit, elks, biggs