2016 Bethlehem Steel plant fire leads to negligence verdict against property owner and tenant for fire safety and storage violations.

In November 2016, a fire at the Bethlehem Steel plant in Lackawanna, New York, led to evacuations and a State of Emergency. After three years of litigation, an Erie County jury found property owner Great Lakes Industrial Development and tenant Industrial Materials Recycling negligent for the fire. Both were deemed grossly negligent due to inadequate fire safety measures and improper storage of combustible materials, with further legal action pending for damages.