One man was killed and five others, including three firefighters, were injured in a three-alarm fire that engulfed a Queens home the morning of March 2. According to an AMNY news report, the fire ignited at a two-story residence on 146th Street in Jamaica. Firefighters, who searched through the heavy smoke, found a critically injured man, believed to be about 55. They said he suffered from smoke inhalation and burn injuries.
He was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Five others, including three firefighters, suffered non-life-threatening injuries, officials said. Firefighters reportedly had a difficult time battling the fire due to windy conditions. They also recovered a lithium-ion battery at the scene and are looking into whether it might have played a role in the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by FDNY Marshals. We offer our deepest condolences to the victim’s family. Our hearts go out to everyone who was injured in this fire.
Smoke Inhalation and Burn Injuries
Smoke inhalation and burn injuries are among the most severe consequences of a structural fire. Smoke inhalation often causes more fatalities than burns due to the toxic gases released during combustion such as carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals. Inhalation of these gases can lead to trouble breathing and may even cause loss of consciousness or death. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, confusion and soot in the nose or mouth.
Burn injuries in a structural fire can range from first-degree burns to life-threatening third-degree or fourth-degree burns. First-degree burns affect the outer layer of skin causing redness and pain, while second-degree burns penetrate deeper, leading to blisters and severe pain. Third-degree and fourth-degree burns destroy skin layers and underlying tissues often requiring skin graft procedures and extensive medical treatment. Victims of structural fires should seek immediate medical attention because both smoke inhalation and burns can lead to complications such as infections, lung damage or long-term scarring.
Liability of Property Owners/Managers
New York City laws require property owners and/or property managers to maintain spaces that are safe for tenants, visitors and guests. Property owners/managers are required to provide, install and maintain smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in each unit. The devices should also be maintained and remain in good working order.
When a fire or accident at a building is caused by negligence (carelessness) or a lack of property 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 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.
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://www.amny.com/police-fire/queens-fire-man-dead-03022025/