Family Killed in Fire – What You Should Know if You Live in a Rental Property

About one week ago, the newspapers and television news in Philadelphia broadcast the tragic news that a 33 year old mother, her 14 year old son and her daughters, aged 12 and 8 were killed in a raging fire at a townhouse. The cause of the fire in this rental property has been attributed to faulty electrical wiring.

On a winter night where the temperatures fell below 25 degrees, this young mother ran a long extension cord from the living room on the first floor to heat the bedroom on the second floor. It is believed that some of the electrical outlets in the house this woman rented were not functioning.

A short circuit in the wall behind the outlet started the fire. Sadly, these four deaths could have been prevented. The Fire Commissioner of Philadelphia stated that there was “…no working smoke alarm in the house…” Obviously, the property owner was negligent in the inspection of this property and failed to make repairs to this townhouse.

In Pennsylvania, the landlord is also responsible for installing fire alarms. The tenant is responsible for installing fresh batteries. Whether you rent or if you own your home, you should take the following precautionary steps:

1. Install smoke detectors and change the batteries every six months;
2. Have a fire escape plan and go over it with your children. Plan for a place to meet in the event of a fire;
3. Avoid overloading outlets with multiple plugs and extension cords; and
4. Check cords for signs of wear.

Sadly, nothing will bring back this family and they cannot be replaced. However, if you or a member of your family has been the victim of a fire, you need to speak to an attorney who handles fire claims on a regular basis.

An aggressive, top notch personal injury lawyer will know how to get you compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses and pain and suffering. In the 30+ years that I have been practicing law, I have had the privilege of working with some of the finest attorneys in this country.

If you are in need of a caring, knowledgeable lawyer for a fire claim, I invite you to fill out an online consultation form on my website or call me at 1-800-603-6833. It takes only a few minutes and there is no cost for the consultation. You need and deserve the best personal injury attorney for your particular case. I can help!