A lawsuit filed by Winnsboro farmer Amy Bates alleges that byproduct from a two-day blaze at the MLILY facility contaminated her crops and land. Bates lives approximately 10 miles from the facility. The lawsuit says beginning on Aug. 18, charred foam debris and ash covered her one-acre property.
The lawsuit says Bates suffered losses after she was advised by Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service to cancel her orders to Columbia restaurants.
Bates seeks class action status for the lawsuit. A class action suit would allow other residents affected by the fire to seek compensation. MLILY said in a statement following the fire that it has activated its crisis response to support employees and customers.
Hundreds of responders from across the state worked to put out the blaze. A cause of the fire has not been determined yet. Responders say the facility is a total loss.
SC Public Radio reached out to MLILY/SC Healthcare LLC for comment.
