Mother and Baby Die in N.Y. Airbnb Fire After Owners Allegedly Lied About Smoke Detectors; Couple Charged with Manslaughter

A couple who rented out their New York home on Airbnb are now facing serious charges after a tragic fire claimed the lives of a young mother and her baby – all because of something as basic as missing smoke detectors. Dennis Darcy, 57, and Meredith Darcy, 55, had listed their Westchester County property on Airbnb, claiming it was equipped with smoke detectors. But when a fire ripped through the home on October 14, investigators discovered that wasn’t the case, reported the New York Post.

That night, four guests were staying at the home – Shannon Hubbard, a 35-year-old teacher from Brewster, Massachusetts, her husband John, and their two little ones, aged just one and three. A chimney fire broke out and quickly engulfed the house, leaving the family trapped. All four were rushed to hospital, but heartbreakingly, Shannon and her one-year-old didn’t make it.

Police confirmed the fire wasn’t started intentionally, but what’s even more devastating is that it might have been preventable. After a thorough investigation, New York State Police concluded that the house lacked functional smoke detectors, something that’s not just common sense – it’s actually required under state fire and building codes.

What makes it worse is that the Airbnb listing for the property on Clinton Hollow Road clearly stated smoke detectors were in place. That false claim is now at the heart of the charges against the Darcys.

Earlier this week, the couple were arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter. It’s a case that’s already sparking outrage, especially considering how easily this tragedy might have been avoided.

“This devastating tragedy could have been prevented,” said Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi, as reported by CBS 6. “The deaths of Shannon Hubbard and her young daughter in this senseless fire serve as a tragic reminder of the critical role smoke detectors play in safeguarding lives.”

The court has set bail at $50,000 cash, or bonds ranging up to $200,000. Both Dennis and Meredith are currently out on bond and are expected to appear in court on April 7.

This isn’t the first time Airbnb hosts have landed in hot water over safety issues. Over seven years ago, another host in Atlanta nearly faced jail time after their treehouse – one of the platform’s most popular listings – was also found to be dangerously unprepared, with a fire extinguisher that hadn’t been checked since 2002.

This latest case is a chilling reminder for anyone using or offering short-term rentals: safety claims aren’t just box-ticking – they can be the difference between life and death.