Landlord Sued in Fatal Ill. Off-Campus Fire
Aug. 03--EDWARDSVILLE -- The estate of a 19-year-old SIUE student who died in a fire in Edwardsville has filed suit against her landlord, claiming there were no working smoke detectors in her apartment.
Rex Petersen is suing as the father of Lauren Petersen and as administrator of her estate, naming Alan S. Anthenat, doing business as Anthenat Enterprises. The landlord could not be reached Friday afternoon.
The suit filed by Alton attorney Ted Gianaris claims that the landlord: "In violation of (state law) failed to provide every dwelling unit at 648 Hillsboro, Edwardsville with at least one approved carbon monoxide alarm in operating condition within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping purposes."
Petersen and her best friend and roommate, Lacy Siddall, 19, both of Bethalto, died at a hospital where they were taken after a fire in their apartment April 22, 2012. The apartment was just a few blocks from the firehouse, but Fire Chief Rick Welle said at the time that firefighters did not hear an alarm as they entered the building.
The chief said the fire apparently started at a laptop computer, but the firefighters found there was no battery in a smoke detector inside the apartment. A neighbor heard something and dialed 911, the chief said. After firefighters arrived, the fire was out within 20 minutes.
The two students' bodies were found just before 4 a.m. They died at a St. Louis hospital shortly after they were admitted.
The two students had many friends on campus. The university staff and friends held a vigil in there honor shortly after their deaths. Hundreds of students packed the quad to honor their memory.
The suit claims state law provides each dwelling unit to be equipped with at least one approved carbon monoxide alarm in operating condition within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping.
The law makes the owner responsible to supply all fire alarms and to ensure they are in operation. The owner must provide each tenant with written information regarding the alarm testing and maintenance, according to law, the suit alleges.
Smoke alarms are also to be installed at the highest ceiling of each interior stairwell.
The suit also claims that on April 22, 2012, the law provides that smoke detectors in remodeled structures be wired into the building electrical system.
The suit claims the defendants failed to comply with state law in 27 different ways.
"As a direct and proximate result of one or more of the foregoing and unreasonably dangerous acts, on or about April 22, 2012, defendants caused Lauren Petersen to suffer injury to her internal organs but not limited to her respiratory system," the suit alleges.
The suit is asking for damages for Petersen's injuries, conscious pain and suffering, loss of life, loss of earnings and/or income and medical expenses.
The suit is also asking for damages from the Petersen's family's loss of her society, love, affection, care attention, companionship, comfort and guidance.
The two-count suit is asking for at least $50,000 in each count.
Copyright 2013 - The Telegraph, Alton, Ill.