Man Died In Tremont Apartment Fire on North Chestnut Street
Unsafe Premises - March 12, 2025
Investigation Underway After 69-Year-Old Man Died in Tremont Apartment Fire at Property on North Chestnut Street
TREMONT, ILLINOIS (March 12, 2025) – A 69-year-old man has tragically died in a Tremont apartment fire on the 100 block of North Chestnut Avenue.
Tazwell County officials are saying that the accident took place around 1 PM on Monday. Firefighters discovered a 69-year-old man who had suffered smoke inhalation and burns in his airways.
He also had extensive second-degree and third-degree burns across his body. Was rushed to Health Saint Francis Medical Center in critical condition. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at 2:07 PM that same day.
A full investigation into the cause of the Tremont apartment fire remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Tazwell County Apartment Fires
Residential fires are one of the main causes of preventable injury and death for people living in Illinois and across the United States. There tend to be more fires in the winter months when more people use portable heaters. According to the US Fire Administration, “While portable heater fires in residential buildings were only 3% of all heating fires in residential buildings, their consequences were substantial, accounting for 41% of fatal heating fires in residential buildings.” Apartment owners should take a number of measures in order to prevent or mitigate deadly fires.
- Apartment owners should routinely inspect and maintain all appliances.
- Apartment owners should install smoke alarms where they are required.
- Apartment owners should ensure that all exits are unobstructed.
Apartment owners have a legal obligation to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. This includes complying with all fire and safety codes. Even if a fire cannot be prevented, serious injury and death can be averted if residents are alerted to the fire in a timely manner. When an apartment owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition on their property, they must take action. It is important that certain steps are taken after any residential fire.
- The source of the fire should be determined.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Medical records related to the incident should be preserved.
- The maintenance records of the property where the fire took place should be reviewed.
Residential fires are often highly preventable. If a fire does break out, working smoke detectors can be the difference between someone making it out alive or not being able to get out in time. Sadly, though, property owners will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if someone is injured or killed in a residential fire. This is why it is so important that victims of residential fires understand that they do have legal rights. Among other things, the family of any person who died in an apartment fire may be able to seek some measure of transparency and accountability through a civil action.
Investigating Tazwell County Apartment Fires
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man who died in this Tremont apartment fire. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that measures are taken to help prevent similar tragedies down the road. Many questions about this incident remain unanswered.
Do you need more information about a Tremont apartment fire? Our team of apartment safety advocates is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that property owners are held accountable for their negligent actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
