Brooklyn, NY – Mother, Two Daughters Killed in Apartment Fire on Gates Avenue

Brooklyn, NY (April 28, 2023) – A structure fire turned fatal in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn. On the morning of April 28, the fire was reported on Gates Avenue. 

Firefighters responded to the 911 report concerning the apartment fire in the 500 block of Gates Avenue. The fire happened on the third floor of an apartment complex. 

Three people, including a mother and her two children, suffered fatal injuries in the fire. They were identified as 8 and 10-year-old girls and their mother. 

They were transported to a local hospital, where they were later pronounced deceased. Their names have not been reported at this time.

Three others sustained minor injuries in the blaze. 

We want to offer our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased victims at this time.

New York Structure Fires

Structure fires are the cause of hundreds of fire-related deaths and injuries every year. Anytime a structure burns, its occupants are in danger of sustaining smoke inhalation injuries, thermal burns, and even death. Victims of structure fires also commonly experience injuries due to inhaling toxic chemicals emitted from burning materials inside the structure.

A few of the main causes of structure fires, including apartment, house, and building fires, include: 

• Faulty appliances
• Outdated electrical wiring
• Damaged or improperly installed gas lines
• Obstructed chimney flues
• Malfunctioning boilers or furnaces

Along with establishing the fire’s cause, it is also vital to determine if the action or inaction of a third party contributed to either the fire itself or to the occupants’ ability to safely flee the structure. 

Some of the factors a New York fire injury attorney will investigate are:

• Whether the property owner complied with building and fire codes
• Whether proper fire safety equipment was present 
• Whether vents and fireplaces were adequately maintained
• Whether exits and fire escapes were available and functioning properly
• Whether fire doors were used
• Whether smoke detectors were tested, installed, and working
• Whether firewalls were in place and properly built

In the event that a fire or the inability to react safely to one was the result of the action or inaction of a third party, a victim with a fire-related injury could have a valid claim against the negligent person or entity. 

It is not uncommon for people to fall victim to disastrous accidents arising from the careless actions of building managers, property owners, landlords, contractors, and product manufacturers. When this happens, the appropriate response may be to file a legal claim against the at-fault party. 

Reach out to our fire injury attorneys in New York at (800) 469-6476 to see how we can help you.