Weeks After Fire, Tenants Of West Side Building Still Can't Return To Apartments
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Three weeks after a fatal fire in their West Side apartment building some tenants are still trying to get back into their units, reports WBBM'S Nancy Harty.
Gayinga Washington says she and her five-year-old son have been sleeping on her friend's floor since the April 1 fire in the 300 block of North Central Ave. that killed a tenant and injured two firefighters. She says her unit wasn't heavily damaged but she hasn't been allowed to return.
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"I mean it smells like it's been through a fire," Washington said. "There's soot everywhere. Thankfully, for me, nothing burned per se by the fire but there is some smoke damage."
A lock prevents her and others on the floor where the fire started from getting in. She points out the building failed an inspection two months before the fire.
Alderman Chris Taliaferro says he's been trying to get alternative housing for tenants and has not been getting a response from the building management.
WBBM has reached out to the management company for comment.
