Have you or someone you loved been the victim of a fire in an apartment building in New York City? Our guide provides essential details to help you preserve your rights and be compensated for injuries and loss of property.

In New York City, apartment building fires are almost a weekly occurrence. In many cases, residents of these buildings receive only minor injuries or minimal property damage; in other cases, an apartment building fire leads to significant injury, death, and long-lasting trauma.

In our guide below, learn what you can do to recover after an apartment fire, including seeking medical treatment and getting legal advice from experienced NYC fire injury attorneys.

Tragic News: Devastating Apartment Building Fires in the Five Boroughs

Several highly-publicized apartment building fires have occurred in New York in recent years. Each of the fires caused significant damage, loss of property, and injuries or deaths, including injuries to first responders. Here is a brief look at some of the most recent fires:

Bronx Apartment Fire

Just after midnight on December 28, 2017, a five-alarm fire broke out at an apartment building on Prospect Avenue in the Bronx. Once firefighters gained control over the blaze, the toll of the Bronx apartment building fire was revealed. In all, dozens of people were injured in the fire and 13 people lost their lives. When the fire started in one apartment unit, the unit’s occupant failed to alert other residents and left the door to the unit open, allowing the fire to spread to upper stories. Eyewitness accounts and fire officials suggest that the Bronx apartment fire was the result of serious safety issues, including failure of fireproof doors to close, blocked fire escapes, and neglect on the part of residents and building managers.

Yonkers Apartment Building Fire

In the early morning of March 8, 2023, a fire broke out in a seven-story apartment building on Bronx River Road in Westchester County, New York. The fire started on the first floor and quickly spread throughout the 95-unit building. In the course of fighting the fire, numerous firefighters received injuries. One firefighter was severely injured by a flying fire hose, causing him to receive extensive treatment in the hospital. Over 41 victims of the apartment building fire received injuries, including several where residents were taken to the hospital in critical condition. One resident lost his life. According to breaking news accounts, black smoke was seen pouring from the structure, including smoke and flame on the top floor of the building.

Twin Parks Fire

On January 9, 2022, residents of the Twin Parks Northwest apartment building were awakened by fire alarms and commotion. As the fire raged through the three-story building, it carried injury and death with it. In all, 17 victims were killed and dozens more injured in the apartment building fire, making it the most deadly fire in recent New York history. A space heater on the first floor malfunctioned, starting the fire. Eventually, flames spread to the top floor — the third floor of the building. Within three minutes, residents began succumbing to smoke inhalation and heat injuries

Faulty self-closing doors and lack of maintenance were cited by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) as contributing to the severe loss of life.

Chinatown Fire in Upper Manhattan

In the Chinatown neighborhood in Manhattan, a bicycle repair shop was the source of a fire that caused widespread property damage and the deaths of four people. Just after midnight on June 19, 2023, neighbors reported thick smoke and heat emanating from the shop. Two other victims of the blaze were taken to the hospital with severe injuries and one firefighter was treated at the scene. The flames broke out when lithium-ion batteries in the bike shop exploded; windows were shattered and flames quickly tore through to upper stories. Eyewitness News accounts and videos at the scene showed piles of burned bicycles and furniture on the sidewalk in front of the bike shop, which had been cited for safety violations in 2022. An investigation into the cause of the fire continues conducted by fire officials.

Essential Information on Apartment Fires from Fire Officials

Apartments in New York have been struck by fires repeatedly. Fire officials responding to these events share information about the causes and injuries reported by residents during the course of investigation into the fires.

Cause of the fire or fires

Any number of causes contribute to blazes in apartments in the greater New York area. These include:

• Faulty wiring
• Batteries being charged on apartment premises
• Kitchen accidents
• Vehicle crashes
• Damage to heating and air conditioning units
• Negligence
• Intentional causes (arson, carelessness)

Whether the fire broke out accidentally or intentionally, the results are the same: building tenants and neighbors suffer severe injuries, property loss, and death.

Neglect and negligence on the part of apartment building owners

In numerous cases, fire authorities have cited building owners in investigations. Common complaints leading to injury or death include:

• Missing or inoperable smoke detectors
• Broken or inoperable self-closing fire doors
• Blocked fire escapes and windows
• Negligence in building upkeep
• Flammable materials being stored improperly
• Faulty or inoperable fire extinguishing equipment, including handheld extinguishers and building fire suppression systems.

Victims of the two of the Bronx apartment building fires had reported dangerous conditions to building managers and property owners. In at least one case, maintenance records were discovered as forged by authorities.

Typical injuries of affected residents

Burns are the most common injury of apartment blazes. Bruises and broken bones are commonly reported as well. Cuts from broken windows or glass can occur during or after the blaze is controlled.

Even if the heat of the fire does not cause direct thermal injury, smoke inhalation can result in difficulty breathing and hospitalization.

Get Medical Attention Immediately

If you or someone you love has been injured in an apartment building fire, get medical attention right away. The sooner injuries are treated, the quicker the recovery process. Medical responders know that injuries do not always appear immediately, and failure to receive treatment promptly can result in long-term disability or health consequences that are difficult to overcome.

Seek Advice from Legal Professionals

If you’ve been injured by a fire started through no action of your own, you may have specific rights and protections. Seeking guidance from legal professionals — including personal injury attorneys — can provide you with valuable protection.

There are several reasons why victims of an apartment fire need to seek legal guidance from personal injury attorneys:

1. Establishing Liability: An attorney can help determine who is at fault for the fire. This could be the landlord, a product manufacturer (if the fire was due to faulty appliances), or even another tenant. Proving liability is critical in personal injury cases.
2. Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. A personal injury attorney can negotiate on behalf of the victim to ensure they receive fair compensation for their losses. This can include property damage, temporary housing costs, medical expenses, emotional distress, and more.
3. Legal Expertise: Navigating the legal system can be complex and stressful. Personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and experience to guide victims through this process. They understand the laws, can help gather necessary evidence, and can prepare and present the case in the most compelling way.
4. Establishing Damages: Personal injury lawyers can help document not only direct property losses but also intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and in the worst case, wrongful death claims.
5. Tenant Rights: If the fire resulted from a landlord’s negligence, a personal injury attorney can help assert the tenant’s rights. This could include inadequate maintenance, failure to install fire alarms, failure to follow building codes, etc.

New York City fire attorneys offer free consultations for injury victims. Call as quickly as possible to begin the process of recovering from a blaze and to preserve your rights. A personal injury fire attorney can assess your case and advise you as to what to expect as compensation for your case.