A Vidor couple is suing a real estate company and its agents after discovering what they claim is evidence their new house had been damaged by a previous fire, a fact the couple says was not disclosed to them before the purchase.
Jeremy and Alicia Youngs' suit names Flair Real Estate, Cell Burke, Lester Saucier Jr. and Angela Gill as defendants and was filed on April 29 in the Orange County District Court.
According to the plaintiffs' petition, on April 4, 2005, the Youngs purchased a home in Vidor. Two years later, the couple entered the attic for the first time and "became aware that the rafters supporting the roof of their home had been fire ravaged."
In their suit, the Youngs say the pieces of wood were so charred that they could be removed by hand. "It became obvious to them that their home had been on fire prior to their purchase, a fact that was never disclosed to them by defendants."
The suit says defendant Saucier was "hand picked" by the real estate agents to perform the pre-sale inspection. "Saucier negligently and fraudulently misrepresented in his inspection report that the roof structure was 'structurally sound.'"
The plaintiffs are accusing all of the defendants of negligent misrepresentation, fraud and conspiracy.
"When defendants made the representations, defendants either knew the representations were false, or made the representations recklessly," the suit says. "Plaintiffs relied on defendants' nondisclosure."
The Youngs are suing for actual, special and exemplary damages, plus attorneys' fees.
They are demanding a trial by jury and are represented by the Law Office of Brian N. Mazzola.
The case has been assigned to the 163rd Judicial District.
Case No. B080170-c