Woman Died In Lockport Apartment Fire

Unsafe Premises - March 1, 2024

Elderly Woman Died In Lockport Apartment Fire on Division Street

Woman Died In Lockport Apartment Fire

LOCKPORT, ILLINOIS (March 1, 2024) – An elderly woman tragically died in a Lockport apartment fire at a building on the 1100 block of Division Street.

Will County officials are saying that the incident began around 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Firefighters and paramedics were called to a Lockport apartment after getting called about a fire.

When firefighters arrived, they were able to extricate a 79-year-old woman. She was taken to Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox in order to receive care for major burn injuries.

Despite life-saving measures, she died at the hospital. A full investigation into the Lockport apartment fire remains ongoing.

Liability For Cook County Apartment Fires

Residential fires remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death. According to The Zebra, “In a five-year period, house fires caused 2,620 deaths and $6.9 billion in property damage (NFPA). In 2018, the national average was 2.5 civilian fire deaths and 9.8 injuries per 1,000 fires (NFDR).” There are a number of common causes of residential fires.

  • Cooking accidents are one of the leading causes of residential fires.
  • Heating equipment, including space heaters, can cause fires if not used properly.
  • Appliance malfunctions can lead to a fire.
  • Electrical hazards, including faulty wiring, can cause a spark which may start a larger fire.

An apartment owner could potentially be liable if someone is injured or killed in a fire. 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. Landlords are required to abide by all state and local regulations relating to fire safety.

  • There must be a fire extinguisher on each floor of an apartment building that has three or more floors.
  • There must be working smoke detectors in each unit and at the top of every stairwell.
  • Landlords must ensure that basements, attics, and cellars are free of materials that could pose a fire hazard.

Residential fires are often highly preventable. Apartment owners must have their premises periodically inspected to ensure that safety standards are being met. If a fire does take place, it is crucial that exits are not blocked so that residents are able to escape. It is important for victims of apartment fires to understand that they do have rights. The family of any person who died in a residential fire may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.

Investigating Cook County Apartment Fires

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of the woman killed in this Lockport apartment fire. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. It is our sincere hope that steps are taken to prevent other tragedies like this.

Do you need more information about a Lockport apartment fire? Our team of fire 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 doing everything in their power to prevent accidents. 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.