A man who lost his wife and four children in a Bronx blaze has taken the first step in a $100 million lawsuit against the city and his landlord.
Mamadou Soumare's attorney, Michael Wildes, filed a notice of claim last month listing the FDNY, Department of Buildings and Department of Housing Preservation and Development as potential defendants.
Soumare claims the fire department took too long to respond to the March fire. However, the FDNY maintains it responded in 3 minutes and 23 seconds. Soumare says city agencies failed to properly inspect the property, which had at least 17 occupants.
The owner of 1022 Woodycrest Ave., Moussa Magassa, is also named as a potential defendant for allegedly failing to install working smoke detectors and sprinklers. Magassa also lost relatives in the fire.
Wildes says while his client is thankful to the Bronx and city for the outpouring of support after the deadly fire, Soumare filed the claim to preserve his right to sue in the future.
According to officials, such claims must be filed with the city comptroller's office within 90 days of the incident.
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