NPR: T&P's, please

[redheadbaker]

My brother's apartment building caught fire this morning. They are unharmed, and the fire is out. They are just now allowed back into the building to check for damage.

They have renters insurance, I just hope nothing irreplaceable (wedding mementos -- they were just married in September) were damaged.

[sparrowgreen]

I'm glad he's ok! That is so scary - sending T&P!

[redheadbaker]

I asked if he knew what started it; he replied:

Not positive, but there was a crazy loud boom at 330am that set off the fire alarm (I believe it was lightening hitting the building). The fire dept came out. I walked out on a public balcony with 2 of the fire fighters around 345. All 3 of us agreed we could smell something burning, but couldn't figure out where it was coming from. So they shut the alarm off and left. 2 hours later the alarm goes off again. I'm thinking it's BS so I don't even get out of bed. Wife gets up to check it out and our whole hallway is just smoke and the fire fighters are already up there screaming at us to get out. Couldn't even see down to the next apartment. But yeah, it's kinda infuriating that it seems like this could have all been avoided if the fire dept hadn't rolled out the first time even tho I know at least 2 of them could smell something was burning. Then 2 hours later our hallway is on fire.

[SallySparrow]

Lots of T&P! Glad everyone is okay!

[amavelle]

T & P. I can't believe the fire department left the first time, but I'm glad they're at least okay.

[DorkFish]

Lots of T&Ps

[corgilove22]

How scary! I am glad everyone is ok. T & P for everyone involved!

[redheadbaker]

They were told their apartment has heavy smoke damage but because other units down the hall were heavily damaged, they are not allowed to go up yet.

[troopersmom]

was getting ready to ask if they went back up. Do they have a place to stay tonight? Hoping they get back in soon and can salvage most of their stuff.

[redheadbaker]

Yes, our parents live just about five miles away and have a spare bedroom.

[justaname]

How did the fire department not see a fire? That's just awkward...

[redheadbaker]

A public adjuster looked at all the apartment units, and proclaimed my brother's apartment uninhabitable for 6 months

They're not even allowed to retrieve their undamaged belongings. I'm guessing they'll be staying with my parents (who are supposed to be putting their house on the market soon).

[amavelle]

That's awful that they can't even retrieve anything. I know you said they had insurance, but there's just so much that's harder to replace.

[DorkFish]

May 18, 2012 10:15:59 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

A public adjuster looked at all the apartment units, and proclaimed my brother's apartment uninhabitable for 6 months

They're not even allowed to retrieve their undamaged belongings. I'm guessing they'll be staying with my parents (who are supposed to be putting their house on the market soon).

That's awful! I hope they don't have to wait 6 months to get in and get their belongings

[setsail1999]

I'm sorry Is it a structural issue about them not going in to get stuff? We had to wait a week or two until the tree was removed before we could safely go in and start getting things. Not sure if renter's insurance company covers it or if the property's insurance company covers it but there should be coverage for alterative living arrangements. My homeowners paid us to rent another apartment while they worked on my house. Also, the red cross stopped by to check on us so they might be a source for food/clothing etc.

[redheadbaker]

I think there is some structural issues - the news coverage showed firemen chopping at the roof of the apartment building, and my brother and his wife's apartment was on the top floor.

They weren't allowed to retrieve anything today. My brother isn't sure if they can get out of their lease, or if they the building manager will transfer them to another, undamaged unit within the building. He seemed to think they could retrieve their belongings and get whatever they can cleaned before a decision is made as to where they go.

[mrsmc08]

I went through a fire- it was an office fire- but I can tell you my experience. We were able to get out of lease- they tried to get us to move to another building they owned, but we had the option of not. It happened at like 330 in the morning and so we had been at the site all morning/day. The next day while everyone was having a meeting at Denny's I returned to find firefighters putting out hotspots/ wondering around upstairs (the entire second floor which we were on was gone the bottom floor still had their xmas trees up). I begged firefighters to get our servers out (it had been sprinkling off and and on and I was standing in the rain). I tired to direct them from the ground where they were, but it was hard because the walls were gone- but they did find them, just before it down poured. We really lucked out that day. About a week later we got a call saying the next day they would be demolish the building. If we wanted to try to find anything- we needed to be there- sign a waver and the team would search for stuff. I was the only one who could go- so I showed up signed the waver and took a team up to the spot where our office once was. The team told me not to go past the landing and asked what I was looking for. As they went further in- so did I. They eventually gave up and let me rummage myself. I found some priceless things in the rubble- my grandfathers glasses case- a small tea cup for one of the admin assistant that meant the world to her- and a damaged photo- the last one of someone's dad. I got to slide the roof to the other half. It was interesting experience. A lot was lost and damaged but I did get more than I expected.

[redheadbaker]

Ugh, mrsmc, that sounds awful! I'm so glad you were able to recover some people's belongings.

My SIL posted on FB that she took the public adjuster up to their unit. She said it was scary -- holes in the floorboards, and wiring hanging out of the ceiling. She didn't mention if she actually went inside their unit, or if she did, how much was damaged.