A HOTEL in Waterfalls area of Chongwe district has sued Zambia Airports Corporation Limited, seeking damages for negligence after a fire allegedly escaped from the overgrown grass in the Corporation’s premises to the hotel buildings, resulting in loss and damage to property.

OSLO Hotel Limited is further seeking costs, interest and any other relief the court may deem fit.

According to a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, OSLO Hotel explained that it was a private company limited, conducting hotel business on subdivision ‘Al’ of Lot Number 13619/M, Off Airport Road, Waterfalls area, a place neighbouring the defendant’s airport premises at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

OSLO added that the defendant (Zambia Airports Corporation Limited) was responsible for the development, maintenance and management of the four designated international airports, namely; Kenneth Kaunda (Lusaka), Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula (Livingstone), Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe (Ndola), and Mfuwe, as well as, the provision of air navigation services throughout Zambia.

OSLO Hotel stated that on June 22, 2020 fire escaped from the overgrown grass in the defendant’s premises to its hotel buildings causing loss and damage to property.

“Particulars of loss and damage; Nine detached chalets, caretaker’s room, coffee shed, bar shed and three swimming pools were destroyed by the fire,” read the claim.

The hotel stated that the replacement cost value of the said destroyed buildings as at July 14, 2020 stood at K2,658,000.

It further stated that around a year before the fire incident, its agents had attempted to clear the bush immediately near to the hotel premises but were prevented to do so by the defendant’s officers or agents who indicated that the area was prohibited and restricted from outsiders.

OSLO Hotel stated that the fire was able to escape to its premises due to the negligence of the defendant, which was; failing to maintain or trim the overgrown bushes within the defendant’s premises and failing to make a fire break in the form of graded road between the overgrown bushes and the hotel premises.

It added that the defendant also failed to put in place measures for early detection of fire within the defendant’s premises before it could escape to neighbouring premises.

The hotel lamented that it had as a result suffered loss and damage.