The family of Melanie Diaz, the woman who died in a Silver Spring apartment fire as she tried to escape the smoke and flames with her two dogs, announced Tuesday they will file a lawsuit on her behalf.
The family is represented by the law firm Domnick Cunningham and Yaffa of Florida.
A press conference Saturday will be held at Silver Spring Arrive on Georgia Avenue. Diaz’s family and their lawyers are expected to speak.
The lawyers will explain the legal actions being taken as well as the impact on Diaz’s parents, Cesar and Zuleika, and her brother, Cesar Jr., according to an email to MCM.
Since her death, Montgomery County officials adopted a law to protect apartment renters by strengthening fire safety and communication between landlords/building owners and tenants.
The law now requires that rental building leases must clearly state if the building has automatic sprinklers and inform tenants about emergency plans. Renters also must be informed about what their insurance covers.
According to a report after the fire, a lack of sprinklers affected the severity of the blaze. The complex had sprinklers only in stairwells and mechanical rooms and not in individual apartments.
