Construction company sues heating firm after on-site blaze

A Bedfordshire construction company is demanding compensation after its property was destroyed by fire.

Aldgate Construction Company has sought damages of more than £300 000 from Unibar Plumbing and Heating following a blaze in March 2005.

A High Court writ claims a Unibar employee began the fire while resoldering leaky pipework to a radiator. His blowtorch is believed to have ignited insulation panels or other combustible materials in the roof void.

Aldgate has accused Unibar of breach of contract and negligence, claiming the fire started because the employee failed to carry out the work with reasonable skill and care.