City Rules Burned Apartment Unsafe
DETROIT (WWJ) - Dangerous steps, a gaping hole in the ceiling of the lobby and fire damage on both sides of the Broderick Manor led to the City of Detroit to issue a vacate order.
Mayoral spokesman Dan Lijana said fire damage from Monday and damage from a blaze back in June has resulted in the move. Monday's fire left a mom and two of her children injured when they jumped to safety from their fourth-floor unit.
The city had issued eight violations to the owners with hearing dates set for mid-August prior to Monday's fire.
Vittoria Katanski with the Southwest Detroit Business Association said they have been trying to get the building shut down for months now.
"When we heard about this, it wasn't surprising, but it was definitely disappointing," said Katanski. "We have been in active communication with the city since April."
- (WWJ Photo / Vickie Thomas)
WWJ's Vickie Thomas was on the scene on Wednesday to see what's next for that building. She said that one resident, Dennis Huddleston, believes people really shouldn't have been living here since the fire in June.
"It's all screwed up," said Huddleston. "I don't like it."
Another resident, Stephen Fuson, is already moving out. He said he's concerned about his neighbors.
"I don't want to see anybody not having a place to go," said Fuson.
He helped rescue those who jumped from the fourth floor window during the fire on Monday.
"One of the little girls had to get pins her legs," said Fuson. "One of the boys got a broken arm. Everyone else is fine, except the mom."
Fuson said the mom has to go into surgery for her back. Two of the children and the mother hit the cement on their way down. All three were all hospitalized in stable condition, later Monday.
