Harlem Fire Accident Kills 2, Injures Several Others
New York Fire Department investigators have said candles are to blame for a fatal Harlem fire that led a man and a boy to jump off the burning building to their deaths to escape getting burned. According to an NBC news report, the fire broke out in a six-story building at West 148th Street and Broadway. Eight people, who suffered burn injuries, were transported to area hospitals, including two firefighters.
According to fire officials, the boy was about 5 years old and the man, 45. The boy’s mother was not able to get out because of a child safety bar on the window, which ended up saving her life.
This is obviously a huge tragedy for the family and a traumatic experience for everyone living in that apartment building. Although it has been ruled an accident caused by burning candles, it is important to find out whether the sprinklers and fire alarms in the building were working at the time of the fire. Under New York law, it is the responsibility of the building owner to prevent defective building safety systems in their building.
Burn injuries can be severe, leaving permanent marks, scars and in some severe cases leading to disfigurement. Victims of burn injuries often face steep medical bills. If you have been injured in a fire, you may be entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses and loss of wages. If you or a loved one has been injured in New York, please call an experienced and knowledgeable New York personal injury attorney at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free and comprehensive consultation.
