Manhattan, NY – One Person Killed, Several Injured in Fire on Edgecombe Ave near W 155th St

Manhattan, NY (January 9, 2024) – A fire erupted in Harlem, Manhattan, on the morning of January 9. Shortly after 10:00 a.m., on Wednesday, fire crews were dispatched to the incident scene in the 400 block of Edgecombe Avenue. According to reports from EMS crews, four people were hurt in the blaze and one person tragically lost their life. The deceased victim was identified as an 80-year-old woman whose name has not been reported at this time. One other injured victim suffered critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital from the scene. Fire crews actively battled the flames with water for an extended time, and were able to eventually put the fire out. Police in Manhattan are working to determine how the blaze occurred. 

We want to offer our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased victim at this time. We hope for the full recovery of the injured parties. 

New York Car Crashes

Each year, hundreds of lives are forever altered or lost due to structure fires. In the United States, it is reported that more than 200,000 structure fires occur per year. In 2021, approximately 3,800 people lost their lives in structure fires in the United States, while tens of thousands more suffered injuries serious enough to send them to the hospital. These incidents constantly pose significant threats, exposing building occupants to thermal burns, smoke inhalation injuries, and, tragically, death. On top of these inherent dangers, victims usually suffer from injuries caused by inhaling toxic chemicals released during the blaze. 

The leading cause of structure fires, encompassing apartments, buildings, and houses, are usually rooted in: 

• Outdated electrics
• Obstructed chimney flues
• Faulty appliances
• Malfunctioning boilers/furnaces

It is crucial to be able to identify the fire’s original cause, but equally important to determine if the actions of a third party contributed to the fire or hindered the ability of occupants to safely exit the premises. Should a fire-related injury result from the negligent actions of a third party, the injured victim may have a valid claim against them. A New York fire injury lawyer may investigate key factors such as: 

• Presence of proper fire safety equipment
• Property owner compliance with building/fire codes
• Maintenance of vents/fireplaces
• Utilization of fire doors
• Availability and functionality of fire escapes/exits
• Testing, installation, and functionality of smoke detectors
• Implementation and construction of firewalls

If you’ve been negatively affected by a fire-related injury, do not hesitate to call our fire injury lawyers in New York from the law office of Metro Law. Our team of trusted lawyers have been working for over three decades to help injured fire victims and their loved ones get their lives back on track after they have been affected by incidents of this nature. Especially if you have wrongfully lost a loved one, you should not have to worry about money at a time like this. Allow our legal team to help you file a claim for financial compensation. You can reach our office at (800) 469-6476 to discover how we can help you get the justice and compensation you need.