Widow of firefighter suing University of Missouri curators

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The widow of a firefighter who was killed in February after a walkway collapsed at a University of Missouri apartment complex has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the school's board of curators.

In a petition filed March 31, Leigh Britt alleges the curators are responsible for her husband's death because they did not properly maintain or construct the University Village Apartments, The Columbia Daily Tribune reported.

Bruce Britt died Feb. 22 when part of a concrete walkway collapsed while he was responding to reports of a possible building collapse at the apartment complex. He was crushed by the walkway's concrete deck.

University spokesman John Fougere said the school doesn't comment on active litigation.

The lawsuit alleges the curators were aware of the "dangerous condition" of the complex that ultimately led to the firefighter's death.

In late 2012, the curators considered renovating or rebuilding the complex but the project didn't occur because of a lack of financing, the petition states. The complex, which was built in 1956, houses graduate students, students who are married, have children or students older than 21.

The Britts' daughter, Stormy, is also a plaintiff. The lawsuit doesn't specify how much money the plaintiffs are seeking.

The university last month announced it would demolish University Village this summer.

------

Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com