Fatal Chicago Fire Prompts Suits Against Landlord and City

Posted by: Curt Varone March 25, 2019 0

A mother who lost three children in a fire last August, has filed suit against the building owner and the City of Chicago.

Priscilla Cobos’ children,  Giovanni Ayala, 10, Gialanni Ayala, 5, and Alanni Ayala, 3, were among the ten who died in the August 26, 2018 blaze. The building’s owners have been cited for over 40 fire code violations.

According to news reports another mother who lost six children in the fire, Yolanda Ayala, had been investigated by DCFS 21 times since 2004. All of the children were from an extended family who were having a sleepover. No adults were present when the fire broke out. The fire has been referred to as the Little Village fire due to the area of Chicago that the fire occurred in being called the Little Village.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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