A five-alarm fire that broke out in a Brooklyn supermarket spread to other neighboring buildings, injuring seven people and displacing dozens of residents. According to an NBC news report, the fire erupted the evening of May 1 at a grocery store near the corner of Cooper Street and Bushwick Avenue. According to FDNY, the flames spread to at least four neighboring apartment buildings. Fire shot out through the roofs and smoke poured out from the building for hours into the night, the news outlet reported. The smoke was visible as far as Central Park in Manhattan, officials said.
The New York City Department of Buildings issued a full vacate order for the affected structures. The supermarket had been open for just under a year. It took more than 250 firefighters to get the blaze under control. Six firefighters and one other person at the scene were injured. However, the injuries were not life-threatening and all the victims are expected to recover, officials said. The Red Cross said it helped 55 people including 15 children who were displaced. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.
Common Injuries Suffered in Fires
Building and structure fires often lead to a variety of injuries, ranging from minor burns to life-threatening conditions. Some of the most common injuries suffered in fires include burns, smoke inhalation, trauma from falling debris, and respiratory issues. Burn injuries are among the most prevalent, often causing significant pain and tissue damage. Victims may suffer from first-degree burns (superficial), second-degree burns (partial thickness), or third-degree burns (full thickness), depending on the severity of exposure to heat or flames.
Smoke inhalation is another major concern in such cases, as it can lead to respiratory distress and even asphyxiation. Inhaling toxic gases and particles can cause lung damage, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other respiratory complications.
Trauma resulting from falling debris or structural collapse during fires can cause blunt force injuries, fractures, and crush injuries. These injuries can vary widely in severity, depending on factors such as the size of the debris and the victim’s proximity to the impact. Additionally, psychological trauma is common among fire survivors, manifesting as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Witnessing or experiencing a fire can be profoundly distressing, leading to long-term emotional challenges for those affected.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
When a fire or accident at a building is caused by negligence (carelessness) or a lack of proper maintenance, the property owners and/or property managers may be held liable for the injuries and loss of life that occurs. Injured victims or families of deceased victims can file a premises liability claim against the responsible parties including, but not limited to, the property owner, property manager, maintenance/repair company, etc.
Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation as well.
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 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 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.
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1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/massive-fire-breaks-out-at-brooklyn-supermarket-sending-smoke-billowing-into-sky/5374450/