Latest news with #CooperApartments
CBS News
11 hours ago
- General
- CBS News
Cooper Apartments fire leaves Fort Worth tenants displaced and frustrated
Cooper Apartment tenants displaced by a massive six-alarm fire Monday received clothing and toiletries at a giveaway Friday organized by the Fort Worth Apartment Association. But some fire victims told CBS News Texas that it's more help than they're getting from management. Rent confusion and lack of communication Cooper Apartments CBS News Texas "They don't answer emails. They don't answer texts," said Evelyn Martinez. "They posted the rent, but they said to turn off autopay. I know a lot of people who paid for July's rent, and they can't get their money back." Ashlyn, another tenant, said she hasn't been able to return to her unit. "I have no word on when we'll be able to get in," she said. "I'm supposed to move somewhere else. I have nothing to move with. Sadly, I have no savings. I'm a single woman. I take care of myself." Concerns over damage and mold Jocelyn Sanchez shared a photo of a hole in the ceiling of her second-story apartment and said she's worried about water damage. "All that water is going to be in the vents," she said. "One of the residents said she's already seeing mold formation around the AC where the air comes out." Sanchez escaped the fire with her cat, Coco, but said she's unsure what comes next. "A lot of us don't know if we're going to be able to get out of our lease," she said. "They kind of made it seem like if your unit is livable, they still want us to pay rent." Management responds at event A manager at the giveaway event declined to go on camera but told CBS News Texas that all residents can get out of their leases and should email the management company. He added that they are still determining how to handle July rent. "Maybe even give us a prorated rate for June," Sanchez said. "Obviously, we haven't been staying there, especially for Building One. If they could get their deposits back and all of that. It's just a very sad situation." Fire ruled accidental The Fort Worth Fire Department released its investigative report Friday, ruling the fire accidental. Investigators determined that an electrical failure in the crawl space above the top story ignited the blaze. The report also noted that a maintenance contractor was working on an HVAC issue when the fire broke out.
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
834 people displaced after historic 6-alarm Fort Worth apartment fire, officials say
After Fort Worth firefighters battled an apartment fire for nearly nine hours on Monday, 834 people are without a home. The Fort Worth Fire Department said crews responded to the fire around 1:30 p.m. at the Cooper Apartments on W. Rosedale St. It began as a three-alarm fire before escalating to a historic six-alarm fire, FWFD said. Firefighters battled the blaze from aerial hoses and on the roof while more crews were inside attacking the fire and evacuating residents. FWFD said the summer heat also made operations complicated as firefighters needed to stop and rehydrate. A total of 64 fire apparatuses and vehicles were at the scene along with close to 170 fire personnel. Crews worked to put the fire out for almost nine hours. Firefighters from Lake Worth and River Oaks assisted at the scene while Arlington firefighters provided mutual aid, backfilling their stations. One person was rescued from their apartment and taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries, but FWFD said they were in stable condition. Six people, including firefighters and civilians, were treated for heat exhaustion at the scene. FWFD said a total of 834 residents were displaced by the fire, but it's unknown how many units were damaged by fire or sustained smoke or water damage. It's also unknown when residents will be allowed back into their units. Most pet owners have been reunited with their animals, but FWFD advises residents to visit the Chuck Silcox Animal Care & Control Center to see if their pet has been dropped off. There are no fees to get pets back for Cooper Apartment residents, FWFD said. Residents who may require immediate financial assistance should contact the American Red Cross Greater North Texas at 1-800-RedCross. Rosedale Avenue will remain closed from Henderson Street to College Street on Tuesday. There is no estimate for when the street will reopen. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
