CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Channel 9 has learned the apartment complex at the center of controversy was fined hundreds in fire safety violations and only paid the fines after Charlotte-Mecklenburg police got involved.
Last week, hundreds of tenants at the Lake Arbor Apartments in west Charlotte came forward and said there are many unsafe and disgusting conditions at the complex.
These problems include rats in their apartments, inoperable smoke detectors, damaged plumbing, and rotting window seals.
[ [City leaders to review long list of issues at west Charlotte apartment complex] ]
On Tuesday, Channel 9's Gina Esposito pulled fire inspection reports for the complex and discovered a number of fire code violations going on for months.
"These things didn't go off, even when the apartment filled with smoke, these didn't go off," resident Natasha Tucker said.
Channel 9 reported out of the 296 units the city inspected for "building code violations," only 61 uniots have been brought up to code. But, that does not include violations due to fire safety.
Records show Charlotte Fire inspectors visited the complex five times this year.
Over the summer, the complex management admitted to inspectors that it had not checked smoke alarms in over a year.
Inspectors also noted missing fire extinguishers and a fire hydrant that was out of service.
Our Eyewitness News crew noticed repeat violations Tuesday such as a dumpster blocking a fire hydrant and exposed wiring around meter boxes and electrical panels.
All together, the complex had racked up approximately $750 in fines.
"This is really rare that we would have to go this extent to get something done. Usually, the apartment managers are compliant," Chief Fire Inspector Kevin Miller said.
Miller said in August, the complex paid the fines, but only after they got Charlotte-Mecklenburg police involved.
"When we issue a uniform citation, they usually pay attention to that because they can actually be put in jail for that," Miller said.
Charlotte Fire inspectors are expected to re-visit the apartment complex to conduct another inspection sometime at the end of this month or early next month.
“To support residents and remedy code enforcement violations at Lake Arbor Apartments, the city of Charlotte held a productive meeting (Tuesday) to collectively discuss with property management representatives their commitment to a path forward," city officials said Tuesday night in a news release. "We will share with Lake Arbor residents, city leaders and community stakeholders the details of Lake Arbor management’s corrective action plan by week’s end.”
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