New data element probably reason for Fremont fireplace the place two ladies plummeted to their deaths

FREMONT — The households of two ladies who plummeted to their deaths in a Fremont condominium fireplace this 12 months have filed lawsuits towards the advanced’s administration, claiming that they had no strategy to escape and their deaths may have been prevented.

Two separate lawsuits filed in Alameda County Superior Court docket accuse the agency that manages the Waterstone Residences of negligence and failing to maintain the 530-unit condominium advanced protected. Two ladies — 62-year-old Lori Lengthy and 54-year-old Charlotte Holguin — died after falling 4 tales from Lengthy’s balcony throughout an April 6 fireplace that fireside officers say erupted someday round 2:50 a.m.

In the meantime, newly obtained Fremont Hearth Division data present the blaze originated in Lengthy’s condominium and certain began after somebody both left a cigarette burning on a flamable floor, or tampered with a butane lighter that caught one thing ablaze in the lounge.

The data additionally present a historical past of over 280 fireplace code violations all through the whole condominium advanced relationship again by means of final 12 months, together with dozens discovered on Could 6, after the hearth, comparable to inaccessible fireplace extinguishers, no smoke detectors and electrical hazards.

Fremont Hearth Division official seems out from a balcony at an condominium in constructing 25 of the Waterstone Residences at 3939 Bidwell Drive on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Fremont, Calif. One particular person was killed and three others had been injured Sunday morning in a two-alarm fireplace on the condominium advanced that left dozens of residents displaced, authorities mentioned. (Aric Crabb/Bay Space Information Group) (Aric Crabb/Bay Space Information Group)

In a cellphone interview, Jeff Vucinich, the lawyer representing the events behind the Waterstone Residences – MV-EPT Residences, Pinnacle Property Administration Companies and SecureLion Safety – mentioned, “I don’t see any liability on the apartment complex — never have, never will.” Waterstone Residences didn’t return a request for touch upon this story.

Vucinich acknowledged Monday that he was conscious the hearth division had completed its report on the hearth, however mentioned he hadn’t but learn it. He added that “based on site inspection (and) meetings with clients … I can’t see where the apartment (management) had anything to do with this unfortunate tragedy.”

However the attorneys representing the household of Lengthy and Holguin have positioned the blame on the teams tasked with making certain security on the advanced positioned at 39600 Fremont Blvd.

Colin Jones, an lawyer representing John Lengthy, the brother of Lori Lengthy, mentioned in an announcement Tuesday that his agency is “ investigating what appears to be a series of preventable failures in safety, property management, and emergency response at the Waterstone Apartments that contributed to the circumstances of Ms. Long’s death.”

“Property owners and managers have non-delegable duties to ensure safe premises, adequate maintenance and proper emergency protections. Our responsibility is to identify all negligent actors and pursue full legal accountability on behalf of Ms. Long’s family,” he wrote.

Fremont Hearth Division automobiles on the scene of a deadly fireplace that erupted about 2:53 a.m. in an condominium in constructing 25 of the Waterstone Residences at 3939 Bidwell Drive on Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Fremont, Calif. One particular person was killed and three others had been injured Sunday morning in a two-alarm fireplace on the condominium advanced that left dozens of residents displaced, authorities mentioned. (Aric Crabb/Bay Space Information Group)

In courtroom paperwork, the Longs’ attorneys allege that the condominium advanced “chronically” allowed obstructions of fireside lanes on the condominium advanced, which additionally reportedly slowed down firefighters trying to save lots of Lengthy and Holguin in the course of the blaze.

The Longs’ attorneys argue these obstructions alongside “inoperative smoke alarms,” lack of accessibly displayed fireplace escape maps and different outdated fireplace security measures on the condominium advanced trapped Lori Lengthy in her condominium and compelled her onto the balcony. These alleged failures by the condominium’s administration “deprived Decedent of critical early warning minutes required for escape,” in keeping with courtroom paperwork.

Attorneys allege that resulting from extended smoke inhalation and with nowhere left to run, Lori Lengthy had no alternative however to fall from the fourth flooring.

She was transported to a hospital, the place she died of her her accidents two days later, in keeping with courtroom paperwork.

In response to Weck, Holguin was visiting Lengthy at Lengthy’s condominium when the hearth broke out. In courtroom paperwork, Weck alleges the condominium advanced “failed to use reasonable care to keep the Property in a reasonably safe condition, or reasonably maintain the property in a safe condition.” This, he added, is what contributed to her demise after she was left with no protected emergency exit in the course of the fireplace.

After greater than quarter-hour dangling from the balcony, each ladies finally fell to their deaths, in keeping with courtroom paperwork.

Emergency responders the morning of the hearth pronounced Holguin useless after she fell from the balcony. Her son continues to “suffer severe grief, sorrow, loneliness, and associated great mental and physical pain, emotional distress, pain and suffering and other general damages,” Weck wrote in courtroom paperwork.

Weck mentioned the incident is “absolutely horrific” for Wilson and “it’s everyone’s worst nightmare.” He mentioned he took the case to “actuate change” in different condominium buildings that could be out-dated on their very own emergency programs. “This is going to be a difficult case, but we want to effectuate change.”

Weck mentioned each residents and guests of any condominium constructing “should at least be entitled to feel secure and safe from a fire and not have to leap to their deaths from a balcony.”

Workers author Chase Hunter contributed reporting .

A photo from the Fremont Fire Department depicts the aftermath...

A photograph from the Fremont Hearth Division depicts the aftermath of a deadly condominium fireplace that erupted at about 2:53 a.m. on April 6, 2025 in a fourth flooring residence at Waterstone Residences. Investigators reported the potential origin of the hearth began after a discarded lit cigarette butt or a butane lighter caught some furnishings on fireplace after one of many occupants fell asleep in the lounge. Two ladies, Lori Lengthy, 62, and Charlotte Holguin, 54, fell to their deaths from a balcony on the fourth story of the constructing whereas making an attempt to flee the flames. (Courtesy/Metropolis of Fremont)

A photograph from the Fremont Hearth Division depicts the aftermath of a deadly condominium fireplace that erupted at about 2:53 a.m. on April 6, 2025 in a fourth flooring residence at Waterstone Residences. Investigators famous a number of kinds of “drug paraphernalia” within the residence, together with cigarette butts, butane lighters, a tourniquet and syringe. Two ladies, Lori Lengthy, 62, and Charlotte Holguin, 54, fell to their deaths from a balcony on the fourth story of the constructing whereas making an attempt to flee the flames. (Courtesy/Metropolis of Fremont)

A photograph from the Fremont Hearth Division depicts the aftermath of a deadly condominium fireplace that erupted at about 2:53 a.m. on April 6, 2025 in a fourth flooring residence at Waterstone Residences. Two ladies, Lori Lengthy, 62, and Charlotte Holguin, 54, fell to their deaths from a balcony on the fourth story of the constructing whereas making an attempt to flee the flames. (Courtesy/Metropolis of Fremont)