Towson Apartment Tenants Sue Property Management After Fire

Residents claim history of unresolved fire and safety violations contributed to frightening incident.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 4:34pm

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Residents of the 12-story Berkshires at Town Center Apartments in Towson, Maryland are suing the property's management, claiming a history of unresolved fire and safety violations contributed to a January fire that left some tenants trapped on balconies and others unaware of the danger until smoke filled the hallways. The lawsuit seeks rent abatements, removal of lease termination fees, and financial assistance for relocation costs.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about fire safety and building code compliance in multi-unit residential properties, especially in the wake of high-profile incidents that put tenant lives at risk. The lawsuit also raises questions about property management accountability and whether residents are being adequately protected and supported in emergency situations.

The details

According to the lawsuit, dozens of tenants are accusing the Berkshires' management of negligence, claiming a judge had previously ordered the building's owners to correct several fire and safety code violations in late 2025 related to the sprinkler system, generators, and emergency lighting - issues that allegedly had not been fixed at the time of the January 2026 fire. Tenants also claim they received no alarm or warning when the fire broke out, with one resident saying "The sprinklers didn't go off on my floor. The smoke detector, the fire alarm — nothing went off." The lawsuit further alleges that residents who wanted to move out after the fire were required to pay lease termination fees.

  • The fire at the Berkshires at Town Center Apartments occurred on January 19, 2026.
  • In late 2025, a judge ordered the building's owners to correct several fire and safety code violations.

The players

Berkshires at Town Center Apartments

A 12-story apartment building in Towson, Maryland where the fire occurred.

Cheryl Huff

A former resident of the Berkshires who was treated for smoke inhalation after the fire and has since moved out, describing the experience as "the closest I've ever been to dying."

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What they’re saying

“I woke up and I smelled smoke, and I opened the hallway door and realized it was completely black with smoke. It was really scary.”

— Anonymous Resident

“The sprinklers didn't go off on my floor. The smoke detector, the fire alarm — nothing went off. I was only notified by the smell.”

— Anonymous Resident

“This was just a horrific period of my life. This is the closest I've ever been to dying.”

— Cheryl Huff, Former Resident

What’s next

The lawsuit against the Berkshires' management is ongoing, with tenants seeking rent abatements, removal of lease termination fees, and financial assistance for relocation costs.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of property owners and managers upholding the highest fire safety standards to protect the lives of their tenants. The lawsuit alleges a pattern of neglected safety issues that tragically endangered residents during the January fire, underscoring the need for greater accountability and transparency around building code compliance in multi-unit housing.