Six-Story Apartment Fire in Manhattan Left 14 Injured; Source of Fire Remains Under Investigation
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (November 30, 2024) – At least 14 people were injured in a Manhattan apartment fire on West 204th Street.
New York City officials are saying that the incident took place on Tuesday morning. At least 100 firefighters and EMS personnel were called to the scene.
They were eventually able to put out the fire. Four people were treated at the scene, and ten people required hospitalization.
A full investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for New York City Apartment Fires
Residential fires remain one of the leading causes of serious injury and death in the United States. According to the National Fire Sprinkler Association, “Apartment building fires were responsible for 12 percent of the fire deaths and 21 percent of the fire injuries in 2022 in the U.S. Deaths from apartment fires has been declining from an average of 840 per year in the 1980s to an average of about 375 per year (2013-2022).” There are a number of measures that apartment owners should take to prevent fires.
- Apartment owners should install smoke alarms and sprinkler systems.
- Apartment owners should perform routine maintenance on all electrical systems and heating systems.
- Apartment owners should create and enforce fire safety protocols.
Building owners in New York have a legal responsibility to maintain their properties in a reasonably safe condition. This must be done for the protection of everyone on a property whose presence is reasonably foreseeable. If an apartment in New York lacked required fire safety measures, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. Victims of residential fires tend to suffer very serious injuries.
- Burn injuries
- Lung damage
- Organ damage
- Brain injuries
The vast majority of apartment fires are preventable. However, even if a fire does break out, injuries are often avoidable if people are able to easily escape. Part of the reason that people are injured in apartment fires is due to safety code violations. This may include instances where fire escapes are obstructed. Any person injured in an apartment fire may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Manhattan Apartment Fires
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this apartment fire. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the FDNY. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the source of the fire.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Manhattan apartment fire? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
