A luxury homeowner in the Hamptons who was responsible for a house fire that killed two Maryland sisters will not serve any jail time after reaching a plea deal with prosecutors. The homeowner, Peter Miller, had installed an illegal outdoor kitchen that overloaded the home’s electrical system and failed to install functioning smoke detectors. The fire, which broke out in August 2022, trapped the two women in an upstairs bedroom, resulting in their deaths. Miller, 56, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and was sentenced to three years of probation and 200 hours of community service, while his wife, who managed the rental property, received 100 hours of community service.
The fatal fire occurred while Jillian Wiener, 21, and her 19-year-old sister Lindsay were vacationing with their terminally ill father, Lewis, at Miller’s $1.8 million Sag Harbor home. Lewis, a federal prosecutor dying of pancreatic cancer, survived the fire along with his wife and son. The family attempted to use the rental property’s outdoor charcoal grill, but when the food failed to cook, they shifted to the kitchen. The fire broke out in the early hours of the morning, and while the parents were able to escape, Zachary was trapped in his room and had to jump from the second story. Despite Lewis’ efforts to save his daughters, he was unable to penetrate the thick smoke and flames.
Prior to their arrests, the Millers were charged with 29 code violations in Southampton Town Court, including failing to obtain a rental permit and installing an electrical outlet without a proper electrical box. The Wiener family has filed a wrongful death suit against the Millers in addition to the charges brought by prosecutors. The district attorney emphasized the importance of housing regulations for public safety and expressed condolences to the Wiener family for their unimaginable loss. Both Miller and his wife will not face jail time as part of their plea deal.
In court, Miller tearfully admitted to installing the illegal wiring that caused the fatal fire himself, acknowledging that it had never been inspected for safety. The kitchen vents were blocked by a wooden frame, creating a firetrap that prevented the two women from escaping. The incident left the surviving family “broken” and “haunted,” according to the press release. Jillian was an incoming senior at the University of Michigan, while Lindsay was a sophomore at Tulane University. The Millers’ attorney could not be reached for comment, and the couple’s community service sentences were imposed as part of their plea deal.
The tragic fire in the Hamptons highlights the devastating consequences of negligent actions that pose a danger to public safety. Residents who rent out properties have a responsibility to ensure that their homes meet safety regulations and are equipped with necessary safety features. The loss of the Wiener sisters in the fire has left their family shattered, and legal action has been taken to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions. The plea deal reached between the Millers and prosecutors underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for stricter enforcement of housing regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
