A 68-year-old man in El Cerrito, CA was airlifted to a burn unit after suffering second and third-degree burns in an apartment fire on February 27. The fire, at Idaho Apartments, located at 10203 San Pablo Avenue, broke out just before 9:00 p.m.
68-year-old man airlifted to burn center following El Cerrito fire https://t.co/TMy1NUkr1f pic.twitter.com/otQC2VtFdr
— Richmond Standard (@RichmonStandard) February 28, 2017
When fire crews arrived at the apartment complex, which provides housing for those with special needs and the elderly, smoke and fire were pouring out of a ground-floor unit. Firefighters found the man, who had suffered second-and-third-degree burns over 30 to 40 percent of his body, inside. He was airlifted to the burn unit at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center where he is in critical condition.
Fire officials have not yet determined the cause of the blaze.
Most apartment fires occur in the evening hours and during winter months, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). In 2015, 95,000 apartment fires were reported nationwide. Those fires resulted in 3,025 injuries and 405 deaths.
Older adults and those with disabilities are at elevated risk for injury in fires. Adults over 65 are twice as likely to be killed or injured in fires than people in other age groups.
Companies that own and manage apartment buildings have a responsibility to make sure tenants are safe. If you or a loved one has been burned in an apartment building fire, there may be grounds for a lawsuit against a landlord and others. The attorneys at Pritzker Hageman have won millions for clients injured in fires, including a recent $10 million settlement. To contact them, click here, or call 1 (888) 377-8900. The call is toll-free and there is no obligation.
Sources: http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/02/28/el-cerrito-elderly-man-rescued-from-apartment-fire/
http://www.kron4.com/2017/02/28/el-cerrito-fire-destroys-apartment-and-causes-serious-burns/
