After her kitchen caught fire, Donnell Holliman made a couple of attempts to quell the flames but eventually opted to leave the apartment with her family.
Donnell reportedly suffered injuries when she returned to the unit for a third try at extinguishing the inferno.
She later filed suit against the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) claiming that a defective smoke alarm --- which hadn't been activated by the fire -- triggered the agency's liability.
When the New York County Supreme Court denied its dismissal request, NYCHA appealed.
Since Holliman's injuries were caused by returning to the apartment without the appropriate means of extinguishing the flames, the Appellate Division, First Department, reversed and dismissed the case.
In other words, it smoked that one out, ... fast.
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: Holliman v. New York City Hous. Auth.