One man was killed and three others were injured in a fire in the East Flatbush area of Brooklyn. According to Patch.com, the fire broke out just before 4 a.m. on Sept. 20 at 3615 Farragut Road, a two-story home on a quiet residential street. Police said they found a 71-year-old man unconscious from smoke inhalation. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Three others were taken to local hospitals for smoke inhalation injuries, including a 31-year-old woman, a 65-year-old woman and one of the firefighters. The 31-year-old woman is in critical condition while the two other victims are in stable condition, NYPD officials said. Two people were displaced from their homes and the Red Cross was on the scene to help, police said. The New York City Fire Department is still investigating the cause of this fire. Our hearts go out to all who were affected by this fire.
Understanding Smoke Inhalation Injuries
Smoke inhalation injuries occur when a victim breathes in harmful smoke or gases during a fire. These injuries are caused by inhaling a mix of chemicals, including carbon monoxide and other toxic substances that are released when materials burn. Smoke inhalation is one of the leading causes of death in fire-related incidents, even if a person is not directly burned by the flames.
The severity of smoke inhalation injuries can vary, but they often affect the respiratory system by damaging the airway, lungs, and other tissues. Common symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, hoarseness, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. In severe cases, victims may experience chest pain, confusion, or unconsciousness due to oxygen deprivation caused by toxic gases like carbon monoxide.
Inhalation injuries can lead to serious complications, such as lung infections, respiratory failure, and permanent damage to lung tissue. Immediate treatment is crucial and may involve administering oxygen, medications to reduce airway swelling, and, in severe cases, mechanical ventilation. Early intervention and proper medical care are essential to reduce the risk of long-term health effects from smoke inhalation.
Smoke Detectors Can Save Lives
Smoke detectors are vital safety devices that can save lives by providing early warnings of fires. These devices detect smoke, typically a sign of fire, and emit loud alarms to alert occupants before the situation becomes life-threatening. Early detection is crucial, especially when fires occur at night, as the sound of the alarm can wake sleeping residents, giving them time to evacuate safely.
According to fire safety statistics, homes equipped with working smoke detectors significantly reduce the risk of fire-related injuries and fatalities. Most fatal fires happen in homes without working smoke detectors, often due to missing or non-functional batteries.
Installing smoke detectors on every floor of a home, particularly near bedrooms, and regularly testing them is essential for ensuring they function correctly. Additionally, replacing batteries at least once a year and upgrading older units further enhance safety. By providing crucial extra minutes to escape, smoke detectors play a critical role in saving lives during fires.
In New York City, the law requires all homes and apartments to have working smoke detectors. Building owners/managers must install them in rental units. As of 2019, all new or replacement smoke detectors must be equipped with a sealed 10-year battery.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Whether you have been living as a tenant at a private apartment complex or in a public housing unit (NYCHA) (the Projects), please remember that you have legal rights. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of dangerous conditions, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys with the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you. For over 52 years, our skilled attorneys have established a proven track record of assisting injured victims. One of our clients — a hot water burn victim — secured $750,000 in damages from the property owner and manager.
Our firm also obtained a $985,000 settlement out of a $1 million insurance policy for two people who suffered smoke inhalation injuries because the homeowner did not have smoke detectors installed and the $15,000 that was left on the insurance policy was for a person that we did not represent. Another of our clients recovered $2,500,000 due to a faulty space heater. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://patch.com/new-york/brooklyn/fire-kills-1-injures-3-brooklyn-friday