Insurer sues Georgia warehouse operator over $4.5M fire loss

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — An insurer is suing the operator of a coastal Georgia warehouse where 50,000 tons of biofuel wood pellets went up in smoke this year. Investigators believe some of the pellets decomposed and spontaneously combusted, starting a multi-day fire that devoured the warehouse and threatened nearby homes in Brunswick. The pellets were insured by Tokio Marine American Insurance Co., which blames the Logistec stevedoring firm for the losses it has to pay to Fram Renewable Fuels Co. of Hazlehurst. The lawsuit claims Logistec improperly stored wet pellets and scooped pellets from the top of the pile, leaving the bottom layer to degrade and overheat. Logistec declined to comment.