Texas Accident & Injury News
Apartment fires can have serious consequences.
Residents of 15 Units Displaced, Two Injured in Apartment Fire
The Icon apartments were set ablaze at around 3 a.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023, in what appears to be a lightning-ignited blaze, according to a San Antonio Express-News report.
Firefighters had the blaze under control in roughly 25 min, but the blaze was significant when they arrived, and severe damage was done. Two women were injured when one jumped from the second-story balcony, and the other was burned waiting for firefighters to rescue her. In addition, at least two dogs were lost to the blaze, and residents of 15 units were displaced and assisted by Red Cross in finding a temporary shelter. The roof of the unit collapsed, and residents are not expected to retrieve much property.
Did You Know?
The summer months of June through August have the highest concentration of lightning-ignited blazes, accounting for two-thirds of the roughly 17,400 lightning-ignited fires per year.
Burn Injuries in Texas
Burn injuries are some of the most painful types of injury a person can experience, and they are unfortunately pretty common. The American Burn Association estimates that roughly 450,000 people are treated for burn injuries in the United States each year. What’s worse is that many of these burn injuries are a result of the negligent actions of another person, whether through chemical burns, contact burns, or explosion burns.
Types of Burn Injuries
Though they can happen from common, everyday experiences, burn injuries can be incredibly severe. They range in severity between 1st and 3rd degree, with first-degree being minor, second-degree requiring medical attention, and third-degree potentially debilitating a person for the rest of their life. Regardless of how severe the burn is, it can be incredibly painful – occasionally, first-degree burns can be more painful than second or third-degree since the more severe burns can sear the pain sensors.
Why Burn Injuries Happen
People can be burned in many different ways at home, out shopping, driving vehicles, or at school. Burns can happen for a number of reasons, including:
- Chemical Inhalation – Breathing in toxic chemicals from cleaners at school or in the grocery store can lead to extreme internal burning, which may not be immediately obvious.
- Faulty Appliances – Contact burns are commonly the result of poorly designed kitchen or space heater appliances catching fire. Faulty appliances also can cause extreme electrical burns.
- Auto Accidents – Seat belts and gas-induced flames are common causes of contact burns in motor vehicles, especially on public transportation like a bus.
- Portable Gas Can Explosion – Portable gas cans commonly build up pressure and cause explosions due to poor manufacturing design, and result in extreme burns, property damage, and death.
These are just some of the common ways people are injured or killed by burns in the United States. If you were burned in an auto accident, at school, on the job, or shopping, you might be entitled to legal compensation for your injuries.
Burn Injury Attorneys Serving San Antonio
If you or your child was severely burned in an accident, contact the burn injury attorneys at the Carabin Shaw law firm today for a free case evaluation at 800-862-1260. Our burn injury team has been serving those injured by burns in San Antonio for thirty years, and we have the resources necessary to assist you with your personal injury or wrongful death claim. Contact us today. We look forward to serving you.