The DC fire chief says that arson may have been a factor in the fire at a Northwest Washington apartment building. They are still investigating the cause of the blaze, which took place early Wednesday.
Four people were hospitalized with serious injuries, including a 2-year-old girl. Another fire victim, a 38-year-old male, died when he jumped from the fifth floor of the building to escape the fire. Several people were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and burn injuries. Up to 40 people were treated at the scene. The 63-unit apartment building, which was likely constructed in the mid-20th century, did not have a sprinkler system. Also, some 125 people have been displaced.
If you or someone you love sustained burn injuries in a fire or another accident that you believe was caused by another party’s negligent or careless actions, please call your Washington DC burn accident law firm to request your free case evaluation.
Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be extremely painful and can result in disfigurement, scarring, nerve damage, limb loss, emotional trauma, depression, other serious injuries, and death. Burns are a leading cause of death in the US. According to Burn-Recovery.org, about 4,000 Americans die of burn injuries annually.
Treatment for burn injuries can be very painful and expensive. A person may have to undergo skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and other medical procedures in order to recover.
Examples of serious burns:
• Full thickness burns
• Partial thickness burns
• Facial burns
• Burns to a person’s extremities
• Chemical burns
• Electrical burns
• Smoke inhalation injuries
Man leaps to his death in NW DC apartment fire, The Washington Post, September 29, 2010
1 Dead, Several Injured After 16th Street Fire, MSNBC, September 29, 2010
Burn Injuries, Burn-Recovery.org
Related Web Resources:
Fire Deaths and Injuries, CDC