OVERBROAD IN DEFINING EXACTLY WHO POSES A CREDIBLE RISK. THE STATE PARKS DEPARTMENT IS SUING A SACRAMENTO COUNTY BASED ALARM COMPANY OVER THE FIRE THAT DESTROYED THE BIDWELL MANSION. THE HISTORIC CHICO LANDMARK WAS DESTROYED BY ARSON BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2024. THE STATE PARKS DEPARTMENT HAS NOW FILED A CIVIL LAWSUIT AGAINST ADVANTAGE TOTAL PROTECTION. IT ACCUSES THE COMPANY OF FAILING TO MONITOR THE MANSION AS REQUIRED AND FAILING TO ENSURE THE ALARM SYSTEM ALERTED AUTHORITIES ABOUT THE FIRE. THE LAWSUIT ALSO ALLEGES THE COMPANY LED THE DEPARTMENT TO BELIEVE IT HAD CONDUCTED ALL THE REQUIRED TESTING TO MAKE SURE THAT SYSTEM WAS OPERATING. THE COMPANY DENIES THE ALLEGATIONS. THIS LAWSUIT SEEKS $38 MILLION IN DAMAGES. 30 YEAR OLD KEVIN CARLSON WAS CONVICTED OF FELONY ARSON FOR THAT FIRE. HE WAS SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON AND
California State Parks sues alarm company over Bidwell Mansion fire
Updated: 8:17 PM PDT Mar 17, 2026
California State Parks is suing a Sacramento County-based alarm company over the December 2024 fire that destroyed Chico’s historic Bidwell Mansion.The department has filed a civil lawsuit accusing Advantage Total Protection of failing to monitor the mansion as required and not ensuring the alarm system alerted authorities about the fire at the landmark. The lawsuit also alleges that the company misled the department into believing it had conducted all the necessary testing to ensure the system was operational. Advantage Total Protection denies the allegations. The lawsuit seeks $38 million in damages.Kevin Carlson, 30, was convicted of felony arson for the fire. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and ordered to pay the California State Parks more than $37 million in restitution.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
CHICO, Calif. —
California State Parks is suing a Sacramento County-based alarm company over the December 2024 fire that destroyed Chico’s historic Bidwell Mansion.
The department has filed a civil lawsuit accusing Advantage Total Protection of failing to monitor the mansion as required and not ensuring the alarm system alerted authorities about the fire at the landmark.
The lawsuit also alleges that the company misled the department into believing it had conducted all the necessary testing to ensure the system was operational.
Advantage Total Protection denies the allegations. The lawsuit seeks $38 million in damages.
Kevin Carlson, 30, was convicted of felony arson for the fire. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and ordered to pay the California State Parks more than $37 million in restitution.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel