Trial Begins Over Damages From Nantucket Veranda House Fire

Neighbors Seek Millions in Lawsuits Against Hotel Owners

Jury Hears Claims in Long-Running Case

NANTUCKET, Mass. — A trial has begun in Nantucket Superior Court over lawsuits filed by neighbors affected by a 2022 fire that destroyed the historic Veranda House hotel and damaged nearby homes.

Three plaintiffs — Kevin Davidson, Susan Renzulli and Franklin Harris — are seeking millions in damages from the hotel’s owner, The Procaccianti Group, and others connected to the property. The trial is expected to continue into May.

Plaintiffs Describe Damage and Emotional Impact

Attorneys for the neighbors told jurors the fire caused extensive destruction to their homes and lasting emotional harm.

Jonathan Sweet, representing the plaintiffs, described structural damage including collapsed roofs and exposed interiors. He said the fire had a deep psychological impact on his clients.

"Since the date of fire, these people began experiencing severe depression and anxiety," Sweet said. "Where are we going to live? How long will this take to rebuild? Can we rebuild? They aren’t young people."

Sweet said jurors would hear testimony about post-traumatic stress disorder and its effects. He also described injuries suffered during the incident, including a fractured heel sustained by Harris while trying to respond to the fire.

Defense Accepts Responsibility but Disputes Damages

Lawyers for the hotel acknowledged responsibility for causing the fire but are contesting the extent of damages claimed by the neighbors.

Court filings state that the plaintiffs have already received compensation for property losses, including rebuilding costs and other expenses.

"The Davidsons and Ms. Renzulli sustained damage to their real property as a result of the fire," the filing reads. "The Davidsons own 4 Step Lane and were reimbursed the cost to rebuild the property. Susan Renzuli owns 5A Step Lane and was reimbursed for the net diminution of the fair market value damage to her condominium property."

The defense argues that additional damages must be directly linked to the fire and not to other causes. Attorneys also challenged claims of psychological harm, noting that plaintiffs were not in immediate danger at the time.

“They all got alerted to a potential fire and were all out of the homes before a direct threat to them,” defense attorney Dan Boho said. "This was not actual or threatened death."

Key Issues Include Injuries and Cause of Fire

One dispute involves medical costs related to injuries after the fire. Renzulli’s attorneys say she suffered serious injuries after falling through a weakened floor while retrieving belongings. The defense argues those costs may not be directly tied to the fire.

The lawsuits also allege negligence by hotel operators, including failure to install a sprinkler system during a renovation and failure to enforce proper safety measures.

Plaintiffs claim the fire was caused by an employee improperly disposing of a cigarette. They also allege there had been ongoing issues with smoking materials on the property.

Trial Expected to Continue

Judge Daniel O’Shea is presiding over the case, with 16 witnesses expected to testify. Plaintiffs plan to call 10 witnesses, while the defense is expected to call six.

Davidson is seeking $4.6 million in damages, including compensation for property damage and emotional distress. Additional claims from the other plaintiffs remain pending.

The outcome of the trial could determine how much compensation the neighbors receive for losses tied to the fire.