An 85-year-old woman suffered fatal injuries in a Queens house fire early morning on Oct. 27. According to a PIX11 news report, the 911 call came in for a report of fire and smoke at 124-07 26th Avenue. Firefighters responded to put out the first-floor blaze, which FDNY said took over an hour. One firefighter was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. After the fire was brought under control, an 85-year-old woman was found “unconscious and unresponsive” inside the house. She was transported to a Queens hospital in critical condition where she later passed away. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. We offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the victims for their tragic loss.
The Elderly Are More Vulnerable During Structural Fires
Older people are more vulnerable in house fires due to a combination of physical, sensory, and cognitive factors. As people age, mobility often decreases, making it harder to move quickly or escape from burning buildings. Conditions such as arthritis, muscle weakness, or reliance on mobility aids can slow evacuation. Additionally, older adults may have reduced hearing or vision, which can delay their awareness of alarms, smoke or flames.
Cognitive impairments like dementia can also cause confusion, preventing appropriate reactions during emergencies. Many older individuals live alone, which means there may be no one nearby to assist them when a fire starts. Chronic illnesses or the use of medications that cause drowsiness can further reduce alertness and reaction times.
Together, these factors greatly increase the risk of injury or death for elderly people during house fires, highlighting the need for targeted fire safety measures and community support.
Fire Safety and Property Owner or Manager’s Responsibilities
Fire safety is a critical responsibility for property owners and managers, as it ensures the protection of occupants, visitors and property. They must comply with New York City’s fire codes and regulations by implementing and maintaining fire prevention measures. This includes installing and regularly testing fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems. Clear emergency exits, illuminated signage and accessible escape routes are essential for safe evacuation during an emergency.
Property owners and managers are also responsible for creating and enforcing a fire safety plan, which outlines evacuation procedures, emergency contacts and responsibilities of staff. Regular fire drills and safety training help ensure that everyone on the premises understands how to respond quickly and safely in the event of a fire. Routine inspections should be conducted to identify and correct potential hazards such as faulty wiring, blocked exits or the improper storage of flammable materials.
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. It is in the best interest of injured victims and their families in such cases to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer before contacting the people responsible for the injuries, and definitely before contacting or communicating with any insurance company.
For over 54 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://pix11.com/news/local-news/85-year-old-woman-dies-in-college-point-house-fire-nypd/