LANCASTER — A woman alleges faulty smoke detectors and electrical wiring caused the building fire in which she suffered injuries.
Danielle Bennett filed a complaint Jan. 31 in the Court of Common Pleas for Lancaster County against Carlito Montanez and Montanez Properties LLC alleging negligence.
Bennett alleges in her complaint that she was at the defendants' premises on June 16, 2020, when a fire broke out on the second floor. She claims she was trapped on the third floor and suffered "severe" smoke inhalation, pneumonia, lung infection, an elbow fracture, venous thrombosis, upper airway edema and other injuries. Bennett alleges the defendants' negligence for failing to properly install electrical wiring on the premises, failing to inspect the premises and for failing to ensure the electrical wiring was maintained in a safe condition.
She further alleges the defendants failed to have working smoke detection devices or fire alarms that were properly inspected, serviced and maintained. Bennett also claims the defendants violated building codes, statutes and ordinances.
Bennett seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. She is represented by Jeffrey Lessin and Mark Richter of Jeffrey R. Lessin & Associates PC in Philadelphia.
Court of Common Pleas for Lancaster County case number CI-22-00570