Jury awards $110K to family of woman, 80, who died in fire

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina jury has awarded $110,000 to the family of an 80-year-old woman who died in a fire set by an arsonist.

The State reports True Henderson’s family was awarded the money Thursday following her 2016 death. The verdict was against Plantation Court Apartments and the Wolfe & Taylor firm, which managed the apartments.

Under state law, landlords don’t have to make their rental properties totally secure. But if they upgrade security, the work must be done properly.

In the Henderson case, an arsonist was on the loose in Columbia. The landlords put better locks on the doors at the apartments, but an outside door could still be opened by an intruder. Evidence shows an intruder entered Henderson’s apartment building and set fire. The family’s attorney says Henderson died a “horrible death.”

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Information from: The State, http://www.thestate.com