HOUSTON — A couple alleges the failure of their apartment complex owners to fix a faulty light fixture caused a fire and the loss of all their possessions.
Shamayne Mitchell and Karrissa Bass filed a complaint March 10 in Harris County District Court against Madera Residential LLC and 200 Hollow Tree Houston LLC alleging negligence.
According to the plaintiffs' complaint, they were residents at the Rock Creek at Hollow Tree in Houston which is owned and managed by the defendants. They claim that on March 18, 2020, their property was severely damaged when a shortage in a light at the top of the stairs in the complex caused a fire that spread throughout the complex.
The plaintiffs further claim the fire caused the total evacuation of the property and that it took five hours to clear the fire due to a welded shut gate which hindered the fire department from entering the complex. They allege they lost all of their furnishings, clothes including their children's possessions.
The plaintiffs claim the defendants failed to repair and maintain the light fixture and that they were aware of the risk of not properly maintaining the complex which caused them great financial loss.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief of more than $250,000, interest and all other just relief. They are represented by Barbara Hudson of The Law Office of Barbara J. Hudson in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2022-14853