Two Bodies Discovered in Residential House Fire
A house fire in Redding recently claimed the lives of two people. Firefighters with the Redding Fire Department answered a call for a single-family home on fire on Leland Avenue between State and Fell Streets around 5:30 in the morning. Upon arrival, they were told by a local newspaper’s photographer that the house was well-involved.
Firefighters Discover Two Bodies After Entering the Building
Once the firefighters extinguished the blaze, they entered the building and discovered two bodies. A fire investigator is working toward determining why the blaze broke out. The names of those who died in the fire have not yet been released.
Incidence of Fires in Residential Buildings
According to the National Fire Protection Association, home structure blazes account for about 75 percent of all deaths and 72 percent of all fire-related injuries. The major causes of fires in a home residence are:
- Cooking is the leading cause of a fire in a residence. Reasons include leaving something unattended on the stove or in the oven, frying foods that can overheat and catch fire, cooking at a too-high temperature, and leaving a flammable item too close to the burners.
- Being asleep when a fire starts is another major cause of burn injuries and fatalities because people don’t wake up in time to get out or are overcome by smoke. Ensuring that smoke detectors are present and working correctly can give residents early notice to save themselves before they are overcome by heat, smoke, and flames.
- Electrical defects and malfunctions in lighting and appliances cause many fires each year. Items include cooking or heating equipment, air conditioners, fans, and dryers. If an electrical defect or malfunction causes a fire leading to burn injuries or fatalities, the manufacturer may be held liable for damages by filing a product liability lawsuit with the help of an injury lawyer.
- Flammable items left too close to an open fire can quickly cause an out-of-control blaze. Cookbooks, wooden utensils, napkins, paper towels, and other flammable items should always be kept out of an open fire range.
Burns Caused by a House Fire
Burn injuries can be severe, resulting in long-term hospitalization, high medical bills, and a long recovery. In more serious burn injuries, patients are kept in a particular unit in a hospital because they require frequent attendance and can quickly develop serious infections. Burn injuries can cause permanent damage to not only the skin but to muscles, nerves, tendons, and bones. Skin grafts are often necessary, and if the burn was caused by negligence, an injury lawyer can collect the evidence needed to recover the cost of current and continued treatment, including necessary reconstructive surgeries.
Recovering Damages for a Wrongful Death
If negligence caused the demise of your loved one, the immediate family members may file a claim for wrongful death to recover compensation. Our investigators can gather the evidence to support the claim and either handle negotiations with the insurance company or take the case to civil court. Family members who may file include the spouse or putative spouse and children.
Redding Personal Injury Lawyer
I am Ed Smith, a Redding personal injury lawyer. If your loved one died or was injured in a building that caught fire, compensation may be recovered if the cause was negligence. Contact us at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice on whether you can recover damages. In addition to contacting us by phone, you can also reach us online.
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Photo attribution: Image by David Mark from Pixabay
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