Couple faces manslaughter charges after fire kills mother and daughter at Airbnb
- Dennis and Meredith Darcy are charged with manslaughter after a fire claimed the lives of Shannon Hubbard and her daughter at their rental property.
- Investigations revealed the property lacked smoke detectors and local permits, violating safety laws.
- This tragic event highlights the importance of adhering to safety regulations in rental properties.
In October 2024, a tragic fire occurred at an Airbnb rental property owned by Dennis and Meredith Darcy in Clinton, New York, resulting in the deaths of Shannon Hubbard and her 1-year-old daughter, Maggie. The Massachusetts couple, along with their two children, were staying at the rental when a fire broke out, allegedly from the chimney flue. Shannon and her daughter did not survive the incident after attempting to rescue their children from the smoke-filled house. The investigation revealed that the property lacked functional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, violating New York State fire regulations. The absence of these detectors significantly contributed to the high risk of fatalities. Dutchess County investigators determined that the Darcys had falsely claimed in their Airbnb listing that the property was equipped with a smoke alarm. This misrepresentation, combined with the failings to comply with safety codes that require smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on every floor, led to serious criminal charges against the couple. The local district attorney asserted that the Darcys had