Landlord Not Liable for Fire-Related Injuries
LVT Number: 18883
Tenant sued landlord based on injuries and property damage caused by a fire in the building. Landlord asked the court to dismiss the case without a trial. The court ruled against landlord. Landlord appealed and won. The fire occurred when a halogen lamp came into contact with bedding in basement tenant's apartment. Since the cause of the fire didn't involve the building's structure, landlord wasn't responsible.
Reichberg v. Lemel: NYLJ, 5/17/06, p. 33, col. 1 (App. Div. 2 Dept.; Schmidt, JP, Crane, Spolzino, Covello, JJ)