Investigation Underway After Fatal Home Fire in Bayside, Queens at Home on 208th Street
QUEENS, NEW YORK (February 19, 2025) – At least three people have tragically died in Bayside, Queens after a fire broke out in the basement of a home.
New York City officials said that the fire started around 2:40 AM on Sunday. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the home in order to help all of the victims.
A 56-year-old man was found dead inside the home. Two other women were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Sadly, both later died at the hospital.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Investigating Queens Residential Fires
Residential fires are one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “In 2023, local fire departments responded to an estimated 1.39 million fires in the United States. These fires caused an estimated 3,670 civilian fire deaths and 13,350 reported civilian fire injuries. The property damage caused by these fires was estimated at $23 billion.” There are many different causes of home fires.
- Cooking accidents
- Gas leaks
- Lithium-ion battery explosions
- Electrical malfunctions
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for a residential fire. The company responsible for installing or maintaining a home heating system could potentially be liable. This is also true for the companies that install or maintain heating systems. Many fires are the result of malfunctions with the heating system within a home. If a fire was caused by a defect with a furnace, the company that created that furnace could potentially be held at fault. It is important that several steps are taken after any residential fire.
- The source of the fire should be determined.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records related to the fire should be collected.
- A thorough investigation should be conducted.
Residential fires are often highly preventable. Part of the problem is that the appliances that lead to fires may not be properly constructed or maintained. It is important for accident victims and their families to understand that they do have legal rights. The family of any person who died in a fire may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.
Investigating Queens Residential Fires
We at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. extend our deepest condolences to the family of all the people who died in the Bayside, Queens fire. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire so that other tragedies can be prevented. Any person that may have more information should reach out to the NYPD.
Do you need more information about a Bayside, Queens residential fire? Our team of consumer safety advocates is here to answer any questions you may have. We care deeply that people are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a fire, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
