Two People Injured In Lakeview Apartment Fire on West Wolfram Street
Unsafe Premises - February 1, 2023
Two People Critically Injured In Lakeview, Chicago Apartment Fire Along West Wolfram Street
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (February 1, 2023) – Two people were critically injured in a Lakeview, Chicago apartment fire on the 1100 block of West Wolfram Street.
Cook County officials are saying that the fire began around 3:40 a.m. on Saturday. The fire spread from the first floor of the apartment to the second floor.
Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help all of the victims. A 56-year-old man and a 79-year-old woman were both taken to the Illinois Masonic Medical Center with critical injuries.
The fire was put out at about 4:00 a.m., according to officials. It remains unknown what may have started the fire.
Liability For Lakeview Apartment Fires
Thousands of people are seriously injured or killed every year in residential fires in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association, “For overall home fires, the 2021 rate of 7.9 deaths per 1,000 reported home fires was higher than the rate of 7.1 in 1980. The rate for one- or two-family home fires was 35 percent higher than in 1980, while the rate for apartment fires was 31 percent lower.” There are a number of causes of residential fires.
- Candles
- Smoking
- Electrical malfunctions
- Furnaces
- Heating
Pursuant to Illinois Civil Code 740 ILCS 130/2, apartment owners have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. They must also warn about latent defects on their property. When a property owner has actual or constructive notice of a dangerous condition with their property, they must take action to correct the dangerous condition. There are numerous potential sources of negligence for any apartment fire.
- The building’s maintenance may not have been up to code.
- Electrical outlets in the apartment may not have been functioning properly.
- Furnaces, stoves or gas lines may not have been working correctly.
Victims of residential fires tend to suffer very serious injuries. Even if a person is able to avoid being burned directly, inhaling smoke can lead to serious lung damage. Any person that is injured in an apartment fire may be able to seek damages through a civil claim. It is crucial that the source of any residential fire is determined and all evidence is properly preserved.
Investigating A Chicago Apartment Fire
We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to both of the victims of this Lakeview apartment fire. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to authorities. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other fires at this location.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Lakeview apartment fire? You may have legal recourse. Our team of premises liability attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support after a fire we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.
