PHILADELPHIA – A fatal apartment house fire which took place in January 2022 and caused the deaths of 12 people, has led to the families and estates of the victims filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
The Philadelphia-based firm of Kline & Specter represents the families of 33 year-old Rosalee McDonald, 15 year-old Destiny McDonald, 16 year-old Quintien Tate-McDonald, 3 year-old Janiyah Roberts and 18 year-old Quinsha White, and brought suit against the Philadelphia Housing Authority and Enor International, Inc., of La Puente, Calif.
“This terrible tragedy resulting in precious loss of life could and should have been avoided. After a lengthy ATF investigation, ATF report and our own independent investigation, we are now prepared to move forward, seeking not only compensation, but accountability,” said Thomas R. Kline of Kline & Specter, PC, who represents the five victims among the 12 people who perished in the building owned by PHA.
The firm also represents three others killed in the fire for whom complaints are forthcoming, while fellow Philadelphia-based attorneys Jordan Strokovsky of Strokovsky, LLC and Kevin Mincey of Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, represent the remaining victims.
The lawsuit alleges that PHA was responsible for the fire and deaths for several reasons, including that it knew its four-bedroom apartment was overcrowded with 14 people, constituting a safety hazard. Additionally, the housing authority was responsible for ensuring the apartment complied with all codes and regulations.
However, the suit says, the apartment did not have a fire escape, fire extinguishers, hard-wiring and tamper-proof smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, an early detection system or a working fire suppression system.
The tragic incident began when a child used a Techno Torch lighter to set fire to a Christmas tree on the second floor, trapping 13 people on the second and third floors. The lighter was a product of defendant Enor International, Inc.
In reference to the fatal fire and its aftermath, PHA Executive Vice-President Nichole L. Tillman offered the following statement.
“Since the tragic fire last year, PHA has worked diligently to support the impacted families in ensuring that the surviving family members were supported and rehoused. PHA also partnered closely with our residents on the importance of fire safety and preventing fires at our developments. We recognize that education and partnership with our residents are key,” Tillman said.
“Accordingly, PHA has actively engaged with the Resident Advisory Board (RAB) leaders and residents all year to educate, remind and reinforce the importance of fire safety and the critical role residents play in ensuring safety. This included: Meetings, fire safety literature and fire drills as well encouraging residents to have in place an emergency safety plan for their families. Safety of our residents remains paramount for all of us at PHA and we will continue to collaborate with our residents, who we are privileged to serve, to educated and inform them about fire safety and prevention.”
Apart from that statement, PHA did not comment on the pending litigation.
The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages in the suit.
The plaintiffs are represented by Thomas R. Kline, Aaron Dunbar, Sherrell Dandy, and Frank Mangiaracina of Kline & Specter, in Philadelphia.
The defendants have not yet obtained legal counsel.
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com