Apartment Fire in Flushing Injures Three–Including an Infant

An early morning apartment fire in Queens sent three people to the hospital-including an infant and her mother-after a blaze erupted in the first-floor apartment of a Flushing apartment building. The fire broke out sometime around 2 in the morning on November 18^th in a multi-resident unit at the Pomonok Houses on Parson’s Boulevard near 65^th Avenue.

Some of the residents actually had to climb to the roof and cross to the adjacent building in order to escape the flames. Rescuers and victims alike describe a scene of horror-smoke so thick in the hallways and stairwells that visibility was impossible.

Reports indicate that the infant’s mother was not hurt by the fire but fainted after escaping the blaze. She was taken to the hospital for observation and treatment.

While an investigation into the cause of this particular apartment fire is still ongoing, statistics show that the majority of residential fires nationwide are caused by tenants. In fact, 50% of all residential blazes in New York City are fires that start while residents are cooking. Another 12% are caused by unsafe heating equipment (such as electric space heaters) that causes combustibles near them to ignite.

Other causes of fires in New York City are attributed to landlords and property owners who fail to properly maintain electrical lines and outlets or let flammable garbage and debris accumulate in places accessible to non-tenants. 12% of all fatal fires in New York’s residential homes and apartment complexes are caused by carelessly discarded or unattended smoking materials.

Whether it is the fault of a property owner or tenant, victims can make a claim against the parties responsible for their negligence in causing a fire. Victims can seek to recover compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of property.

If you or a family member has been injured in a fire, contact an experienced New York City apartment fire injury attorney. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 without any further delay.