A Westchester County couple is facing manslaughter charges for a fire at their upstate Airbnb home last year, which killed a visiting school teacher and her 1-year-old daughter. According to a report in the New York Post, 57-year-old Dennis Darcy and his 55-year-old wife, Meredith, were charged this week after investigators found they lied about having smoke detectors at their Dutchess County rental home when flames erupted from the chimney flue on Oct. 14 and killed Shannon Hubbard and her young daughter who were visiting from Cape Cod.
Terrible Tragedy Was Preventable
The Hubbards were on the patio at the home when they saw smoke and ran inside to rescue their two young children only to be overcome inside. Firefighters were able to pull them out of the home. But Shannon Hubbard and her daughter succumbed to their injuries. Hubbard’s husband and their 3-year-old child survived. Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi said these tragic deaths could have been prevented and serve “as a tragic reminder of the critical role smoke detectors play in safeguarding lives.”
He said the property owners in this case not only failed to follow legally mandated safety measures, but were aware of and deliberately ignored the “significant and unjustifiable risk of death that this absence (of smoke detectors) created.” The Hubbards rented the home in the town of Clinton, not aware that the home was in violation of fire and building codes, authorities said.
Smoke Detectors Save Lives
Smoke detectors are one of the most effective tools for preventing fire-related deaths. These small but essential devices provide early warning when smoke is detected, giving people valuable time to escape safely. According to fire safety experts, most fatal house fires occur at night when occupants are asleep. Without a smoke detector, toxic fumes and flames can spread unnoticed, leading to tragic consequences.
Homes equipped with functioning smoke alarms significantly reduce the risk of fire-related fatalities. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that the death rate is more than twice as high in homes without working smoke alarms. Regular maintenance, such as testing batteries monthly and replacing units every 10 years, ensures continued protection. Installing smoke detectors in key areas such as bedrooms, hallways, and kitchens can make the difference between life and death in many instances.
Responsibilities of Property Owners/Managers
Property owners/managers have a legal duty to maintain safe premises and take reasonable steps to prevent fires. Their responsibilities include ensuring proper fire safety measures, maintaining the building and premises to code, and providing safe living or working conditions for tenants, employees, and visitors. They should address potential fire risks, such as faulty appliances, gas leaks, overloaded circuits or improperly stored flammable materials. They must also conduct regular inspections and respond promptly to fire hazard complaints.
Building owners and property managers must install and maintain fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems as required by local fire codes. Regular inspections and testing ensure that these devices function properly. Property owners/managers must follow fire safety regulations, including using fire-resistant materials, maintaining clear emergency exits and ensuring proper electrical wiring to prevent fire hazards. If a property owner or manager fails to uphold fire safety responsibilities and their negligence (carelessness) leads to a fire, they may be held liable for damages.
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.
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Source: https://nypost.com/2025/03/20/us-news/ny-couple-charged-with-manslaughter-after-blaze-at-their-airbnb-kills-teacher-1-year-old-daughter/