Three people died and a fourth victim suffered critical injuries on Easter Sunday after a fire swept through an overcrowded home in Queens that had blocked stairs and exits as well as non-functioning smoke detectors, The Associated Press reported. According to the report, makeshift walls had been erected in the Jamaica Estates home, including one through the middle of the kitchen, FDNY officials said during a news conference. Authorities with the fire department are investigating the origin and cause of the fire.
Lack of Working Smoke Alarms
The blaze erupted in the early morning hours and spread quickly to the upper floors of the house, officials said. There were reports of people jumping out of the attic window, they said, adding that people lived on both floors of the house as well as in the attic and cellar. New York City Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said during a news conference that officials “are not encouraging, we’re begging all New Yorkers to have a working smoke alarm in their home” as well as a carbon monoxide detector.
A person who lived on the second floor of the home, who wasn’t home when the fire broke out, told ABC7 news that 10 to 15 people lived in the home including its landlord (home owner). He said this happened “because of the negligence (carelessness) of the landlord.” Three firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries. We offer our deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones in this fire and wish those injured the very best for a quick and full recovery.
Why Smoke Alarms Save Lives
Smoke detectors in dwellings are vital for early fire detection and for saving lives. Fires can spread rapidly, especially at night when occupants are asleep. Smoke detectors provide early warnings, allowing residents to escape before conditions become deadly. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), homes with working smoke alarms cut the risk of death in a fire by half. They are especially important in residential buildings where people may not notice a fire in time to evacuate safely.
In New York City, the law mandates specific requirements for smoke detectors in residential properties. The Housing Maintenance Code (HMC) requires property owners/managers to install at least one smoke detector within each dwelling unit, specifically in the vicinity of sleeping areas. These detectors must be compliant with standards set by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and must emit an audible alarm.
Since April 1, 2019, all smoke detectors installed in NYC must be the sealed, non-removable battery type with a minimum battery life of 10 years. This reduces the likelihood of tampering or removing batteries, which can render alarms useless. The law also requires landlords (building owners/managers) to provide new tenants with working smoke detectors and written information on maintenance and testing.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Injured victims of fires caused by negligence (carelessness) 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.
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 53 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.
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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://apnews.com/article/queens-fire-three-dead-jamaica-estates254ef5a8154be6d3a5f60ba8b34389c5