Around 3:20 pm on Sunday, September 29, a two-alarm fire broke out in an apartment complex in the 14600 block of Washington Avenue in San Leandro, CA, causing the death of 78-year-old Theodis Patterson.
According to officials, two other residents of the apartment were able to escape the blaze, but unfortunately, the family dog also died in the fire.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, the apartment was engulfed. A total of four apartments in the complex were damaged by the flames, causing 12 residents to be displaced. The Red Cross is assisting the affected residents.
Officials are investigating what sparked this fatal fire.
The Dangers Associated with Apartment Fires
Apartment fires affect nearly 90,000 apartments each year in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Apartment fires can be extremely dangerous for several reasons, including:
- Older Buildings: apartment buildings that were built decades ago may not meet modern fire safety standards which may increase the likelihood of fires igniting. Things like faulty wiring, outdated appliances, and lack of proper maintenance can contribute to making the building more prone to fires.
- High-Density Living: the close proximity of apartment units can cause the fire to spread quickly across neighboring units. This can affect multiple units and families and cause significant property damage to the complex.
- Limited Escape Routes: In multi-story complexes, it can be more difficult for residents on upper floors to escape due to blocked pathways or insufficient fire exits.
Apartment fires not only have the potential to cause extensive property damage and displace many people, but they can also cause serious injuries, and even death, as seen in Sunday’s incident.
“The loss of life in Sunday’s tragic apartment fire is a somber reminder of the dangers residents face in high-density living situations,” says Gerald Singleton, attorney of Singleton Schreiber, “Our thoughts are with Mr. Patterson’s family as they navigate this emotionally challenging time. We’re confident that San Leandro officials will work quickly to identify the cause of the fire.”
Legal Recourse Available to Fire Victims and Their Families
When an apartment fire causes victims to die, their families may be able to file a wrongful death claim to obtain compensation for damages such as funeral and burial costs, loss of support, emotional suffering, and more.
In order to file a wrongful death claim, it will need to be determined who is liable. Potentially liable parties may include:
- Property Owners or landlords – if they failed to maintain fire safety measures
- Property management companies – if they failed to maintain the property and take proper safety precautions
- Contractors or maintenance workers – if they conducted faulty or inadequate repairs that caused a fire hazard
- Manufacturers – if a defective appliance or electrical system caused the fire
If you’ve tragically lost a loved one in an apartment fire, contact the team at Singleton Schreiber today to learn more about how we may be able to help. Call (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to get started today.
