The residential building in Flushing, Queens, were four people died in a fire last month was a neglected and densely-packed place with garbage strewn in the hallways, dangerous leaks and stairways blocked with debris, according to a report in the Gothamist that is based on tenant interviews and court records. Those who live there told the Gothamist that the building was poorly maintained with makeshift units carved out of the building.
Cluttered Hallways, Leaks and Peeling Walls
City records show the two-family home had been converted to accommodate at least seven units, including single-room occupancy-style housing. Court filings describe the building as divided into as many as 14 units. City records show dozens of violations at the property, some still open. In 2023, the city sued the building’s owner, Dechang Yee, seeking to collect $300,000 in penalties tied to Department of Buildings (DOB) violations issued in 2020. Administrative hearings found the owner in violation and imposed multiple fines, which the city says have remained unpaid.
One resident, Bin Hu, told Gothamist that he spent thousands of dollars on repairs including plumbing and heating. Hu and others reported hazardous conditions inside the building such as cluttered hallways, peeling walls and debris. He told Gothamist that the hallways were “always blocked” by items like refrigerators, AC units and garbage bags. The third-floor tenant was reportedly asleep when the fire broke out. He and his girlfriend were able to escape, but four others — two of whom were identified as Sihan Yang, 3, Chengri Cui, 50 — died in the fire. Police said that the two other victims — a 61-year-old woman and a 63-year-old man — have not been publicly identified. The city’s fire marshal is investigating the incident.
Fires and Dangerous Property Conditions
Property owners and managers can be held liable for dangerous conditions that lead to deadly fires. Under premises liability law, they have a duty to maintain safe conditions and to address known hazards. Common fire risks include faulty electrical wiring, lack of functioning smoke detectors, blocked fire exits, improper storage of flammable materials and failure to maintain fire suppression systems such as sprinklers or extinguishers. Fire safety systems such as smoke alarms help protect tenants by detecting fires early, giving occupants time to evacuate safely. Systems like sprinklers and fire extinguishers can also suppress or slow the spread of flames, reducing injuries, property damage, the risk of fatalities, etc.
If a fire occurs due to the negligence (carelessness) of a property owner/manager, injured victims have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. In fatal incidents, families may bring wrongful death claims. Property owners/managers can also be held responsible if they neglect regular inspections or ignore tenant complaints about potential hazards.
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, or their lawyers, investigators, or adjusters.
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, paraplegia cases 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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