A fast-moving fire tore through a Bronx apartment building the afternoon of Oct. 8 injuring 12 people, including nine children. According to a FOX5 NY news report, the fire broke out on the third floor of a building at Ryer Avenue and East 181st Street in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx. FDNY officials said flames quickly spread through the apartment as residents screamed for help. Video obtained by FOX5 NY showed flames bursting through shattered windows, thick black smoke pouring out and frightened tenants running across sidewalk scaffolding to escape.
Ongoing Fire Investigation
Before firefighters got to the scene, neighbors jumped into action, climbing the fire escape to reach trapped children in the building. One man told a FOX5 reporter that he battled smoke and heat before managing to pull two out of three children to safety. Officials say firefighters rescued the third child who had been trapped in the apartment.
All 12 victims were transported to nearby hospitals. One person was initially listed in critical condition, but was later upgraded to stable, police said. The remaining victims were treated for smoke inhalation and other non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been injured and displaced by this fire.
What Are a Building Owner’s/Manager’s Responsibilities?
Property owners and managers have significant legal responsibilities when it comes to fire safety in residential buildings. Their primary duty is to provide tenants with a safe living environment that complies with local building and fire codes. Property owners and managers have a legal responsibility to install and maintain smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Regular inspections of electrical systems, heating equipment and common areas are critical to reducing fire risks. Failure to install and/or maintain these systems can be considered negligence (carelessness).
Property owners/managers are also responsible for ensuring safe and accessible exits. Hallways, stairwells and fire escapes must remain clear of debris and other obstructions, and emergency exit signs must be illuminated and visible. In an emergency, tenants must be able to evacuate quickly and safely. Another key obligation is communication and education. Property owners/managers should inform tenants about fire safety procedures, evacuation plans and proper use of appliances or building facilities. Posting fire safety notices in common areas can further reinforce preparedness.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Liability for a building fire in New York City can fall on several parties, depending on the cause and circumstances of the incident. The property owner or manager are often the primary parties held responsible, especially if the fire resulted from failure to maintain the building in a safe condition, such as faulty wiring, lack of smoke detectors or blocked fire exits. Under New York City’s Housing Maintenance Code and Fire Code, owners have a legal duty to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations. Contractors, electricians or maintenance workers could share liability if poor workmanship, code violations or defective installations contributed to the fire.
In some cases, manufacturers of faulty appliances or electrical equipment may also be liable under product liability law. Additionally, property owners/managers or building superintendents could face liability if they ignored known hazards. If you have been injured, it is in your best interest in such cases to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer before contacting the people responsible for your injuries, and definitely before any insurance company.
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 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://www.fox5ny.com/news/bronx-apartment-fire-good-samaritan