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A fire at the Everhart Hotel Apartments in downtown Grass Valley left two residents hospitalized and 13 others displaced. During the response, two firefighters were also injured.
The fire broke out at around 1:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, August 27th on the corner of Church and Main. The 100-year-old, four-story building is a former hotel that was converted into affordable apartments for some of Grass Valley’s most vulnerable residents. The narrow hallways of the aged building made it difficult for residents to evacuate and increased the threat posed by smoke inhalation.
While the initial cause of the blaze has yet to be determined, the initial investigation focused on the building’s elevator.
Residential Fires are Unfortunately Common
Residential fires like this incident are a leading cause of fire-related injury, death, and monetary losses in the United States. In 2022 alone, over 10,000 people were injured in home fires that caused nearly $11 billion in losses to residents.
Injuries from residential fires can involve severe burns, smoke inhalation, and fall injuries such as broken bones, lacerations, ligament damage, and head injuries sustained during evacuation. Even in cases where residents escape without injury, victims often incur significant expenses while they are forced to find alternative housing.
Residents of Everhart Hotel Apartments Have Legal Options
While county leaders were on the scene to provide resources, 13 residents of the Everhart Hotel Apartments have been displaced from their homes and have no idea if or when they will be able to return.
However, those displaced may have options beyond help from the community.
According to Gerald Singleton, a founding partner at Singleton Schreiber, those options depend upon the outcome of the investigation and each resident’s unique circumstances.
“While it’s impossible to know for certain without a full understanding of the facts, residents of the Everhart Hotel Apartments may have many different avenues to pursue compensation,” Singleton said.
If the fire was caused by a negligent landlord, property management company, or another tenant, those injured or displaced may have the option to file a personal injury claim. If the landlord failed to maintain the property in a safe condition for residents, the injured or displaced tenant may have a premises liability claim. If a defective or dangerous product caused the blaze, residents may have a product liability claim.
Of course, if a tenant has renter’s insurance coverage they should be able to file an insurance claim. However, insurance companies are notorious for denying, devaluing, and delaying payment for valid claims – leaving claimants without resources when they need them most.
“Especially in situations where a person is seriously injured or loses their home and belongings in a fire, it’s important to speak with an attorney with experience handling fire-related claims.” Singleton went on to say. “ We’ve helped thousands of people whose lives have been impacted by fire and understand how to connect people to the resources they need directly after and how to secure the compensation they need to move forward.”
Experienced Lawyers With No Out of Pocket Cost
If you or a loved one were hurt or displaced as a result of the Everhart Hotel Apartments fire, Singleton Schreiber can help. Call (619) 771-3473 for a free and confidential case evaluation.
