Orange County, Florida – A tragic gas explosion in an apartment in Orange County has left a family grieving the loss of 31-year-old Mikeanesha Moore. The mother of three passed away eight days after sustaining third and fourth-degree burns to over 40% of her body in the Woodhill Apartments.
In preparation for her funeral in Illinois on Saturday, Moore’s family is seeking justice, with real estate attorney Barry Miller shedding light on the landlord’s responsibilities under Florida law. Miller emphasized the importance of the implied warranty of habitability, which mandates landlords to provide a safe living environment for tenants.
The lawsuit filed against the property owner, manager, and gas company revealed alarming discoveries by the fire department – uncapped and unplugged gas lines in the apartment’s laundry room. It was further noted that the complex failed to conduct a safety inspection before Moore moved in, highlighting a grave oversight in ensuring tenant safety.
The Lake Apopka Natural Gas District, implicated in the lawsuit, confirmed receiving 54 calls regarding potential gas leaks in the Woodhill Apartments since January 2023. Despite completing on-site investigations and identifying 41 leaks, the district’s response raises concerns about the safety protocols in place to prevent such tragedies.
Moore’s untimely death has left her husband and children displaced, now residing in a hotel after losing everything in the explosion. Community support through platforms like GoFundMe has been crucial for the family as they navigate the aftermath of this devastating event, receiving assistance from sympathetic individuals looking to aid in their recovery.
As investigations into the explosion continue, questions loom over the responsibility of property owners and gas companies in ensuring the safety of tenants. The community awaits further updates on the case, hoping for accountability and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. In the wake of this tragedy, the importance of upholding safety standards in rental properties is underscored, urging landlords to prioritize the well-being of their tenants to prevent avoidable catastrophes.