Seven Injured In South Shore, Chicago High Rise Fire
Unsafe Premises - February 24, 2024
Chicago Fire Department Officials Investigating Cause of South Shore High Rise Fire That Injured Seven People Including Infant At Building Along South Jeffrey
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (February 24, 2024) – At least seven people have been injured in a South Shore, Chicago high-rise fire on South Jeffrey.
Cook County officials are saying that the incident took place on February 21. The fire started on the second floor of the building and sent smoke everywhere.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. A total of seven people were injured in the fire. Five of those individuals were taken to the hospital.
An infant rescued from the scene was listed in critical condition at an area hospital. It remains unclear how the fire first started.
Liability For Chicago Apartment Fires
Residential fires are very common and are one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “More than one-quarter (26%) of reported fires in 2015-2019 occurred in homes. Even worse, three-quarters (75%) of civilian fire deaths and almost three-quarters (72%) of all reported injuries were caused by home fires.” Apartment owners should take a number of measures in order to prevent fires.
- Apartment owners should install smoke detectors.
- Apartment owners should have fire extinguishers dispersed throughout the building.
- Apartment owners should ensure that all appliances are in working order.
- Apartment owners should ensure that building repairs are performed with fire-resistant materials.
Depending on the facts of any case, a building owner could potentially be liable for a fire that injured someone on their property. Pursuant to Illinois Civil Code (740 ILCS 130/1), property owners must maintain their property in a reasonably safe condition. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their property, they must take action. A number of different steps should be taken after any apartment fire.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- The cause of the fire should be understood.
- An experienced premises liability attorney should be contacted.
The vast majority of residential fires are preventable and involve some amount of human error. An error may have occurred which contributed to the fire. It is also possible that an error may have occurred that made the fire needlessly more dangerous. Many people every year die in residential fires because crucial building exits are blocked. It is important for accident victims to understand that they do have rights. Any person who is injured in a residential fire may have legal recourse through a civil claim.
Investigating Cook County Apartment Fires
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to all of the people injured in this South Shore apartment fire. It is our sincere hope that all of the victims will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a South Shore, Chicago apartment fire? You may have legal recourse. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims get the support and justice that they are entitled to under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
