An overnight apartment fire in the Bronx injured 8 individuals and left the building completely uninhabitable. Flames erupted around midnight on October 19th at an apartment building along East 140th Street in the Mott Haven neighborhood between Cypress and Jackson Avenues. FDNY crews were on scene in minutes and immediately began to evacuate residents and battling the flames.
At least one apartment resident was seriously injured by flames. Four more suffered minor injuries—including smoke inhalation. Three firefighters were also injured but are expected to make speedy recoveries.
Video from the scene shows massive flames spreading across multiple locations within the building and plumes of toxic black smoke spewing into the sky. The building was rendered completely uninhabitable until repairs and remediation can take place.
There is no speculation as to what caused the fire at the moment but investigators were on site as the building burned and will no doubt be inside combing through the wreckage as soon as it’s safe to do so.
Depending on the findings of the investigation, the injured individuals could potentially have the grounds for a civil lawsuit. New York City premises law provides that apartment owners must provide safe living conditions with reasonable precautions (including working smoke detectors) to protect the individuals who live inside their units. In addition, appliances in apartments must be properly installed. Repair and maintenance of gas lines and electrical work must be performed by licensed professionals. Stairways and fire escapes must be clear of debris and obstacles that might hinder escape in the event of a fire.
If any of these conditions are present, the liability could shift to the property owner. If it is shown that the property owner was negligent in maintaining or inspecting the building, the building owner could be held monetarily responsible for any injuries and lost property associated with the apartment fire.
If you’ve been injured in a high-rise blaze, contact an experienced apartment fire attorney in New York City immediately. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 today for your free consultation.