Ricki Lake Sued For Burning Down Malibu Home
When vacationing at a beachfront home in Malibu, CA last year with her two sons, Ricki Lake accidentally set fire to the property by spilling oil in an attempt to refill a space heater. A year later Hovsep Kousouyan, the owner of the house, is suing Lake to cover the costs.
According to TMZ’s report, the lawsuit was filed early last week in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Kousouyan reportedly spoke with emergency responders who claim that Lake admitted the blaze was “her fault.” The report doesn’t specifically state just how much money Kousouyan is after, but TMZ’s report suggests that it could be in the millions.
When the incident occurred in September of last year, witnesses reportedly saw flames extending up 30 feet above the house. The fire took upwards of 20 minutes to extinguish, leaving behind only a burned “shell” of the former house (seen above).
Fortunately for Lake, her future doesn’t look too grim. She’s still hard at work on her upcoming TV show and she even has a memoir due out on bookshelves next spring.
Check out this video from ABC News on last year’s blaze.
via Pop Eater
[Image]
Tags : Ricki Lake, ricki lake burns down house, ricki lake sued
Posted: June 13, 2011
![Parents Put Child In Washing Machine at Public Laundromat [Video]](http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/05/laundromat-100x100.jpg)
![Octomom Excited For Her First Porn Release [Photo]](http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/05/o-OCTOMOM-PORNO-570-100x100.jpg)
![Deadbeat Dad Puts Kid In Tumble-Dryer [VIDEO]](http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/05/Deadbeat-Dad-Puts-Kid-In-Tumble-Dryer-VIDEO-100x100.jpg)
![Howard Stern Makes Kid Cry On ‘America’s Got Talent’ [Video]](http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/05/howard-stern-americas-got-talent-100x100.png)
Jun 13, 2011
Ricki Lake my Girl…pretty pretty Lady..Love her 2 death.
Jun 13, 2011
No clue why this dude does not utilize his insurance…LOL.
Jun 13, 2011
If its a rental property wouldn't the owner have insurance? It was obviously an accident that the owner himself could have made, so why the law suit?
Jun 13, 2011
she was probably cooking smores in the kitchen – lol.
Jun 13, 2011
Greed
Jun 13, 2011
This guy is just being a jerk, he knows that she has some money and wants to take her for all shes worth. I'm sure that the house had ins and it would be covered or partly covered either way this is pure BS and to wait a whole year later, WTF.
Jun 13, 2011
I can imagine for a property like that insurance would've provided sufficient reimbursement. Had it been any average joe you know they wouldn't be suing. Since its a celebrity that they know has plenty of money they're gonna go greedy and see what they can get. I know they technically have the RIGHT to do so, but morally its going beyond the necessary reaction. I'm sure she feels bad enough as it is, I mean who wouldn't?
Jun 13, 2011
It's California someone has to be sued no matter what.
Jun 13, 2011
Any un-celebrity normal person with commonsense knows you don't mess with filling a space heater w/kerosene around a source of ignition and you definetly talk it outside to do it. SHE'S AN IDIOT and responsible for damages.
Jun 13, 2011
Also, you KNOW a Malibu property has sufficient insurance. The homeowner's insurance could have definitely covered it. Then the insurance company could have gone after Ricki Lake to recover their costs. That would have kept it from getting personal. It would have been a better way. And in response to Jayme, your comments are true, and letting insurance handle it and recover from her if they felt the need (which they would) is better. Yes it was an accident, yes she feels sorry, and yes it could have happened to anyone. BUT, it DID happen on her watch, the owner DID suffer the loss of his house, so yes he can and should recover damages for it.
Jun 13, 2011
Renters have 'renter's insurance'. As far as greed, that house wasn't owned by a middle-class blue collar worker I'm sure.
Jun 13, 2011
True, but he is within the California statute of limitations. He probably can't take her for all she's worth, but he CAN take her for the sum total of his damages. He really should have tried to settle out of court. She's a good person, she probably would have agreed to cover it. If not, then sue. Then again, maybe he did try to settle it out of court and she didn't agree. We just don't know. Sad situation in any case. Maybe it took the owner a year to stop crying. I mean really – MALIBU. I'd probably still be crying.
Jun 13, 2011
By the looks of it, I would say it was kinda a run down place anyway, but then again, I'm seeing it after the fire.
Jun 13, 2011
Unfortunately, that's true. Really, court should be a last resort, not a first resort to solve a problem.
Jun 13, 2011
i agree with you on your comment it probably was a run down house anyways seeing as she needed to use a space heater
Jun 13, 2011
He must have just figured out she has $$$$$$, and why wouldn't the place hve CH/A?
Jun 13, 2011
I wonder if the dumbass knows that the insurance will immediately put a lean on anything he gets to recoup their losses and the only thing he will be left with is his lawyers fees..
Jun 13, 2011
Hey girls, want to meet a guy who's rich? Meet a sugar daddy at http://richmenonly.gu.ma.