Florida mom sues landlord after son dies in apartment fire, says building had inoperable smoke alarms: lawsuit

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - A Florida mother is suing the owner of an apartment complex after a devastating fire earlier this year claimed the life of her 11-year-old son, according to court records.

In the wrongful death lawsuit filed Monday in Seminole County court, the family of Ramon Thomas alleges that the landlord, Goldelm at Charter Pointe LLC, was negligent for failing to ensure that the apartment building had functioning smoke alarms. 

Photo of Ramon Thomas via family handout

According to the Seminole County Fire Department, the fire started around 1:15 a.m. on April 3 at an apartment complex near Ballard Street and Beverly Avenue in Altamonte Springs. Over 70 firefighters responded to the scene, and at least seven lived-in units were damaged. 

The lawsuit claims Ramon and his four siblings were asleep at the apartment when the fire broke out. Their mother, Romona Andrews, was at work when the incident happened.

"Ms. Andrews was at work, thought she had left her kids in a safe place – a place that she could be confident in while she went out to make a living," Attorney Greg Francis from Osborne and Francis said during a news conference on Tuesday.

Story continues below lawsuit:

Ramon's sister, Leah, who was 17 at the time, awoke to the fire traveling up the family room wall and rushed to rescue her siblings. Ramon, however, was unable to escape the fire and ultimately died due to smoke inhalation and severe burn injuries, according to the lawsuit.

"All four children were treated for smoke inhalation. Obviously, Ramon lost his life," Francis added.

The suit alleges that because the smoke alarms in their building were not working – citing Altamonte Springs Police body worn camera footage – "there was no warning to alert the children of smoke and/or a fire in the apartment."

The lawsuit further claims that, according to Andrews' lease, the property owner was obligated to install and maintain functioning smoke alarms and provide fresh batteries when she initially moved into the apartment last year.

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Andrews told reporters she's seeking to hold the owner liable for her son's death and to prevent any other family from experiencing a similar tragedy.

"I could have actually lost all my children in this fire. And just out of the grace of God, Leah did wake up," Andrews said. "Really don't wish this on anybody."

Ramon was a third-grade student at Lake Orienta Elementary School. His family said he had dreams of becoming a firefighter. 

Ramon Thomas (Credit: Osborne & Francis Law Firm)

"He was a great friend. Loved animals. Great student. I really didn't realize how many people he touched until he passed away," Andrews said. 

FOX 35 has contacted the landlord for a statement regarding the lawsuit and is awaiting a response.

We have also reached out to city and state fire officials for an update on the investigation and will provide more details as soon as they become available.

Altamonte Springs City Manager Frank Martz previously told FOX 35 News that the last full fire inspection at the complex was in 2019, which the complex passed. The inspections don't happen every year, but Martz says every issue that has been observed at the complex in the past has been corrected.