Oklahoma Shopping Center Sues Metal Plant, Insurer

The owner of a Muskogee, Okla., shopping center damaged during a deadly explosion seven years ago has sued a scrap metal plant.

An insurance company, an engineering company and a claims and appraisal firm also are named as defendants in the suit filed by Lakeland Shopping Center in Muskogee County District Court.

According to the lawsuit, Lakeland Shopping Center was damaged by a Dec. 28, 2004 blast that killed Ernesto Chavez and Joaquin Prada.

The Muskogee Phoenix reports that Lakeland accused State Auto Property and Casualty Insurance Co. of breach of contract, and alleges Haag Engineer Co. and Summit Claims and Appraisals were negligent in relation to the center’s claims with the insurance company.

Yaffe executive vice president Lyle Bachman says his company hasn’t been served with the lawsuit yet.