Fires resulting from spontaneous combustion of self-heating products such as oil-based stains and certain cooking oils are relatively common. Typically, soiled linens, rags and sawdust are saturated with such products and serve as the first fuel for the fire. In recent years, there has been an increase in restaurant fires involving the spontaneous combustion of...

 The author of the following blog post, Robert Sottile, is an Articling Student with Cozen O’Connor. The recent decision of the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench in Bernum Petroleum Ltd v Birch Lake Energy Inc (Bernum)[1], outlines the requirements to establish gross negligence in losses involving the drilling and operation of oil wells. Background In...