In case of fire or panic occurring in any of the buildings enumerated in the foregoing sections of this act, in the absence of such safeguards and ways of egress which it is the intent and purpose of this act and the rules and regulations of the department to have provided, the owner or owners aforesaid shall be liable for damages in case of death or personal injury, the result of fire or panic in any of the said buildings, and such action for damages may be maintained by any person now authorized by law to sue as in other case of loss by death or injuries.
35 P.S. § 1234