BAR HARBOR — The owners of a Bass Harbor restaurant destroyed by a fire in December 2013 have filed a federal lawsuit against firefighters they allege “purposefully and unnecessarily” allowed the business to burn.

WABI-TV reports that according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Bangor by Bob and Judy Cousins, owners of Cap’n Nemo’s, the volunteer department had hostility toward the restaurant for years.

The fire also destroyed the attached home in which the owners lived.

The suit says some firefighters on the scene of the fire “breached their duty,” and two firefighters stole from the scene.

The Cousinses are seeking the termination of the firefighters involved and damages of more than $1 million.

A lawyer for the firefighters says his clients “acted appropriately” and “did the best they could.”


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