Calif. State Parks sues for $38 million over failure to save mansion

"State Parks never had any indication that the fire alarm system would not work as designated in the event of a catastrophic fire. Because of these failures, fire authorities and State Parks were not timely notified of the arson at Bidwell Mansion in December 2024, leading to the nearly complete destruction of the historic property and the historic objects inside."

"ATP failed to monitor the mansion as required and failed to ensure that the alarm system alerted authorities in the event of a fire. The lawsuit also alleges that ATP led State Parks to believe that it had conducted the required testing and that the system was operating as required."

"For 156 years, the Bidwell Mansion was a Victorian architectural jewel and centerpiece in what is now Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park. In December 2024, it was undergoing a $2.3 million renovation when a fire broke out in the early morning."

California State Parks filed a civil lawsuit against Advantage Total Protection (ATP) on March 12, alleging the alarm company failed to monitor Bidwell Mansion and ensure the fire alarm system would alert authorities during emergencies. State Parks claims ATP misrepresented that required testing was conducted and the system operated properly. When arsonist Kevin Andrew Carlson set fire to the mansion in December 2024 during a $2.3 million renovation, authorities were not timely notified, resulting in nearly complete destruction of the 156-year-old Victorian property and its historic contents. Carlson was sentenced to 11 years in prison and ordered to pay $37.4 million in restitution. State Parks seeks $38 million in damages from ATP, which denies the allegations.

Read at SFGATE