HOUSTON — Two Houston landlords, Blue Rhino, a grill manufacturer and others are facing a claim after an outdoor kitchen grill caught fire and burned a tenant.
Stephen Rodewald, Christopher S. Rodewald and Stephen B. Rodewald filed a complaint May 3 in Harris County District Court against Fabian Fuentes, Maria Fuentes, David Montilla, Individually and doing business as M.B. Prestige, Summerset Professional Grills, International Propane Products LLC, Uniflame Corporation, Blue Rhino Company and Farrellgas Inc., alleging negligence, strict product liability and other claims.
According to their complaint, the plaintiffs' father, Mr. Rodewald, Sr., was a tenant at a property on Berlin Court in Houston owned by the Fuenteses. They allege the property had an outdoor kitchen constructed by the Fuenteses and M.B. Prestige which included a Sizzler grill with a Blue Rhino propane tank. The plaintiffs claim that as their father turned on the grill and propane tank valve to grill steaks, a fireball engulfed him as he lifted the grill cover.
They further claim their father suffered "horrendous" burns to his face, chest, arms and hands. The plaintiffs claim the Fuenteses negligently installed the kitchen fixtures and failed to warn of the grill's condition. They also claim Sizzler's negligence for the defective design of the grill and Blue Rhino and Ferrellgas' negligence for the defective design of the propane tank.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Randall Sorrels, Alexander
Harris County District Court case number 2022-26420