Garcia v. Farmers Insurance Exchange

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

BUCKLO, District Judge.

Gerald Garcia bought a house in Chicago, Illinois, intending to remodel it as an investment. On July 23, 1997, several trespassers broke in and lit a candle. They fell asleep, and woke to find the place ablaze. Two of them died in this tragedy, and the house was burned to the ground. The Chicago Police Department determined that the fire was accidental. Mr. Garcia had purchased a home insurance policy from Farmers Insurance Exchange (the “Exchange”), but the Exchange refused to pay. 1 Mr. Garcia sued, and now moves for summary judgment. I…