Company Says North Dakota Arena Lawsuit Should Be Thrown Out

A company accused of negligence for a 2012 fire in the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D., says the lawsuit should be thrown out of federal court.

The complaint filed by Arena Holdings Charitable and RE Arena, Inc., seeks $5 million from Harman Professional, Inc., and Harman International Industries.

Arena officials say the fire originated in a speaker after it became “improperly energized” by a direct electrical current from the amplifier. The fire caused smoke damage and damage to electronics and ice.

The defendants say in a motion filed Friday that an economic loss doctrine does not allow the arena to recover damages.