Local landlord Rodney Hendricks could be fined up to $20,000 if convicted of borough code violations in connection with a November fire at the Marvin Gardens apartment complex.

An investigation of the fire, which caused damage to several apartments, revealed that smoke alarms were lacking in the bedrooms of 46 apartments and in the common hall or stairway of eight buildings, according to a Centre County Code Administration press release. Carbon monoxide detectors also were not in six buildings, according to the press release.

Local code requires smoke alarms in every bedroom of a rental property and on every floor of common areas in apartment buildings.

Hendricks is also a defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit by the family of Penn State student Christopher Raspanti, who died April 24, 2005, in a house fire that authorities say may have been caused by faulty wiring. Hendricks was the landlord of the house, located at 500 E. Beaver Ave.

Hendricks could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Sixty citations were filed against Hendricks on Friday in connection with the Marvin Gardens fire, according to the press release. Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said each citation carries a minimum fine of between $300 and $500. Centre County Senior Fire and Housing Inspector Tim Knisely said the violations were corrected within 48 hours of the fire and there are currently no known violations on the property.

Madeira said there were no "appropriate" criminal charges for Hendricks. Madeira said Hendricks would need to have taken action that led to the fire to be charged with causing or risking a catastrophe. Failing to install detectors is considered a "non-action." He also said Hendricks could not be charged with failing to prevent a catastrophe because no one was injured in the fire.

The Nov. 14 fire was the second incident in Marvin Gardens last year. In March, an apartment caught fire after a resident said he fell asleep on his couch with a lit cigarette in his hand. The fire was ruled accidental and no injuries were reported.