AN OCTOBER 2013 FIRE WHICH DESTROYED TWO HOMES IN APTOS IS THE BASIS FOR A UNIQUE CLAIM GOING BEFORE THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TUESDAY. IN THE CLAIM, MARK AND DEBORAH ENGEL SAY THEY NOTIFIED THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE REPEATEDLY ABOUT A MARIJUANA GROW AT THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR, WHERE THE BLAZE ORIGINATED, AND HOLD THE COUNTY PARTIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE TO THEIR HOME BECAUSE OF THE COUNTY’S “HANDS-OFF” POLICY. THE ENGELS ARE SEEKING TW0 HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSANDS DOLLARS FROM THE COUNTY TO COVER THE GAP BETWEEN THEIR COSTS AND THEIR INSURANCE PAY-OUT. CLAIMS OF THESE TYPE ARE GENERALLY REJECTED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, BUT THE ENGELS MAY FILE A LAWSUIT IN RESPONSE.
(THERE IS REPORTEDLY NO LEGAL PRECEDENT FOR THIS PARTICULAR SUIT, IF FILED, AND THE OUTCOME COULD IMPACT ON OTHER COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA)
