New records detail likely cause of Fremont fire where two women plummeted to their deaths

"FREMONT - The families of two women who plummeted to their deaths in a Fremont apartment fire this year have filed lawsuits against the complex's management, claiming they had no way to escape and their deaths could have been prevented. Two separate lawsuits filed in Alameda County Superior Court accuse the firm that manages the Waterstone Apartments of negligence and failing to keep the 530-unit apartment complex safe. Two women - 62-year-old Lori Long and 54-year-old Charlotte Holguin - died after falling four stories from Long's balcony during an April 6 fire that fire officials say erupted sometime around 2:50 a.m."

"Meanwhile, newly obtained Fremont Fire Department records show the blaze originated in Long's apartment and likely started after someone either left a cigarette burning on a combustible surface, or tampered with a butane lighter that caught something ablaze in the living room. Fire inspection records released to this news organization contained images of a charred and cluttered apartment, littered with multiple types of "drug paraphernalia" and other miscellaneous belongings, such as an electric bike, clothes, butane lighters and cigarette butts. The two-alarm fire caused at least $500,000 in damages, and brought more than 30 fire personnel to the scene, records show."

"The records also show a history of over 280 fire code violations throughout the entire apartment complex dating back through last year, including dozens found on May 6, after the fire, such as inaccessible fire extinguishers, no smoke detectors and electrical hazards. In a phone interview, Jeff Vucinich, the attorney representing the parties behind the Waterstone Apartments - MV-EPT Apartments, Pinnacle Property Management Services and SecureLion Security - said, "I don't see any liability on the apartment complex - never have, never will." Waterstone Apartments did not return a request for comment on this story."

Families of two women who fell four stories from a balcony during an April 6 apartment fire filed separate lawsuits alleging the apartment complex lacked safe escape routes and that their deaths could have been prevented. Fire records indicate the blaze originated in one apartment and likely began from a cigarette left on a combustible surface or a tampered butane lighter. Inspection images show a charred, cluttered unit with drug paraphernalia, combustibles, and numerous hazards. The fire caused about $500,000 in damage and prompted over 30 fire personnel. Records show more than 280 fire-code violations across the complex; management denies liability.

Read at The Mercury News