Insurance firm AIG wants dead couple to pay for fire at Kissinger’s co-op

The apartments of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and current Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross were among those damaged by a fire sparked when an elderly woman fell asleep in her apartment with a lit cigarette — killing her and her husband — and now an insurance company wants their estate to pay for the damage to the ritzy co-op.

AIG Property Casualty Company filed suit against Mary and John Merow’s estates in Manhattan Supreme court Wednesday for the Jan. 12, 2019, blaze that was sparked at the East 52nd Street art deco River House after Mary fell asleep on the couch with a lit cigarette in hand, officials said at the time.

Both Mary, 85, and John, 89, who lived on the ninth floor, were killed.

AIG had to pay for damages to the apartments of Kissinger, Ross and two other residents — who are all also listed as plaintiffs in the case under AIG’s coverage — to the tune of $845,193, the court papers say.

AIG paid for $565,653 to repair damages to Kissinger’s apartment and another $77,719 for Ross’ unit, according to the court documents.

The blaze erupted “solely as a result of the negligence, carelessness and/or recklessness of Mary Merow and John Merow,” the lawsuit reads.

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Actress Uma Thurman also lives in the 26-story Depression-era building where units are currently listing for sale between $2.8 million and $12 million, according to StreetEasy.

The executor of the Merows’ estate, James Black, declined to comment.

Ross said, “This was a terrible tragedy for everyone involved. My insurance company paid for the damage my unit sustained, and now it is seeking subrogation.”

A rep said Kissinger was traveling and could not be immediately be reached.

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