Cause of Fire That Injured 16 People in Bath Beach, Brooklyn Apartment Remains Under Investigation
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK (January 25, 2025) – At least 16 people were injured in a Bath Beach, Brooklyn apartment fire at 65 Bay and 19th Street.
New York City police officials are saying the accident took place around 6:00 AM on Wednesday. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene after getting a report of the fire.
An adult and two children were located on the second floor of the apartment. This is the floor where the fire appears to have started.
All three were taken to the hospital with critical injuries. Another seven civilians and six firefighters were also injured in the fire.
Around 106 firefighters and 25 paramedics responded to the scene in order to help. A full investigation into the cause of the Bath Beach fire remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for New York City Apartment Fires
Residential fires remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death in the United States. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, “Each year, from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of 106,700 multifamily residential building fires were reported to fire departments in the United States.” There are a number of common causes of apartment fires.
- Many fires are due to cooking accidents.
- Fires could also take place due to improperly stored chemicals being exposed to a heat source.
- Space heaters could easily cause a fire if they’re near clothing or other flammable materials.
- Hundreds of fires have been caused by lithium-ion batteries that have inadvertently exploded.
All property owners in New York City have a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to protect residents from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting people from fires. If a property owner has actual or constructive notice that their building is in a dangerous condition, they must take action. Failing to take action prior to a fire that injured someone could form the basis of a negligence claim. Property owners should take several measures in order to prevent or mitigate apartment fires.
- All apartments should have functional smoke detectors.
- All of the entrances in an apartment building should be clear and unobstructed.
- Certain buildings will need to have emergency fire escapes.
- Property owners should have all of their appliances routinely inspected to ensure they are working safely.
The vast majority of apartment fires are totally preventable. They tend to involve situations where a building has numerous code violations. It is important for accident victims to understand that they do have rights. Any person injured in an apartment fire may be able to seek compensation for lost wages and medical bills through a personal injury claim. A premises liability attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating New York City Apartment Fires
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our best wishes to all of the people who were injured in this Bath Beach, Brooklyn apartment fire. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the cost of the fire so that similar incidents can be prevented. Any person who may have more information should reach out to the New York City Fire Department.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Bath Beach apartment fire? Our team of premises liability attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you have questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here to serve your needs. You can contact our office anytime at (516) 908-9792.
