Lawsuit Seeks $10M in Deadly Virginia Fire

Augusta County’s sewer and water provider is being sued by the mother of a 12-year-old boy who died in the family home in September 2012.

The News Leader reports that the mother of Dustyn R. Fitzgerald says the Virginia agency left two fire hydrants inoperable, preventing firefighters from saving her son.

Tonya M. Gibson is seeking $10 million in her lawsuit against the August County Service Authority.

The authority is claiming sovereign immunity, which shields the state and its agencies against legal claims.

Firefighters from Dooms and Waynesboro responded to the fire. It took about 10 minutes to get under control but roughly two hours to put out.