East Village Hotel fire: Affected residents unable to claim compensation from owner

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http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC120906-0000183/East-Village-Hotel-fire--Affected-residents-unable-to-claim-compensation-from-owner

Residents affected by the East Village Hotel fire some two months ago will not be able to claim compensation from the hotel's owner - Orchard Mall - according to a letter sent to some 20 households by the liability insurers of Orchard Mall, Crawford and Company.

Instead, the letter asked them to contact the main contractor - J Plan Associates, stating that the hotel was undergoing refurbishment at the time of the fire and a section of the building had been handed over to the main contractor.

According to the letter, as the fire occurred in an area that was under the care of the main contractor, the hotel's liability insurers said the incident was beyond the control of the hotel.

And so the hotel owners will not be responsible for the damage suffered by the residents.

J Plan Associates, the main contractor met residents today to discuss claim procedures.

The contractor said it has conducted internal investigations and will revise its safety management systems after this incident.

Renovation has resumed since mid-August and is expected to complete on schedule.