ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The father of a woman who died last year during a fire in a high-rise apartment building in downtown Silver Spring testified in support of fire safety legislation during a hearing held by the Maryland House of Delegates.
Cesar Diaz advocated for the approval of the Melanie Nicholle Diaz Fire Safety Act before the Environment and Transportation Committee.
"I don't want anybody to go through the pain my family and I go through," he told WUSA9.
Authorities say Melanie Diaz, 25, died from smoke inhalation on Feb. 18, 2023 as she was rescuing her two dogs from the fire at the Arrive Silver Spring Apartments.
An investigation into the incident never provided a cause for the fire, but it did determine that the absence of a functioning smoke alarm system and the lack of a sprinkler system contributed to the magnitude of the blaze.
Since the loss of his daughter, Mr. Diaz has made it his purpose to pass fire safety legislation in Maryland.
"I don't care if I have to spend all my money, if I have sell whatever I have. If I have to sleep in a tent on the street ... I will do that," he told WUSA9.
Last year, a bill introduced in honor of Melanie by Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian failed to advance because it was filed after the deadline. The lawmaker who represents Montgomery says the latest version, is more comprehensive and looks to improve fire safety over the years.
Charkoudian says that the long-term goal is to retrofit older high-rise buildings in Maryland with sprinkler systems, but in the meantime the legislation strengthens smoke detection systems and brings high rises up to code.
Under the bill, tenants would need to be notified when a building does not have a sprinkler system. It also requires that tenant receive fire safety training every six months and up their move-in.
The Melanie Nicholle Diaz Fire Safety Act also would provide funding to support building owners so they can install sprinkler systems, and would offer tax credits for those who make fire safety improvements.
"They tell me they're going to support the bill," Mr. Diaz told WUSA9 after spending hours speaking to Maryland lawmakers.
The Diaz family was recognized Tuesday morning for their fire safety advocacy by the Maryland State Senate.
"If this law pass, we are going to Washington, D.C. and different states to do the same thing," Diaz added.
Del. Charkoudian says this is an ongoing issue. She says next year she plans to introduce additional legislation specifically focused on fire sprinkler systems.