Settlement reached in $60 million Indian Hill mansion fire lawsuit

Less than three weeks before a trial was set to begin, a settlement has been reached in the $60 million lawsuit surrounding a fire that destroyed an Indian Hill mansion.

No details about the settlement were announced. An order filed Thursday in federal court in Cincinnati said attorneys for the parties had notified U.S. District Judge Susan Dlott that the “matter has been settled.”

The case involved a battle between Jeffrey and Maria Decker and the company that insured the $5 million home. As recently as Aug. 10, court records showed that both sides were at an impasse.

More:Indian Hill mansion fire, still a mystery, heads to court with millions on the line

The cause of the January 2014 fire has not been determined. The mansion at 9645 Cunningham Road had nearly 15,000 square feet of finished living space.

Chubb National Insurance Co. denied the Deckers’ claim for $14 million in losses, including $10.7 million to rebuild the home. The Deckers filed the lawsuit in 2015, saying they cooperated “over and above” with the investigation and that Chubb National denied the claim without any reasonable justification. 

Chubb National alleged the couple intentionally misrepresented or concealed information relevant to the investigation. Several documents question Jeffrey Decker's statements about where he was around the time of the fire.

The order dismissing the case says it could be reopened if the settlement is not finalized by Nov. 21.