Residents of the apartments damaged by Eton Fire have made comments after saying their units remained inappropriate and pose a risk to their health.
The protest took place Thursday outside the 403 Figueroa Drive complex in Altadena, where many tenants still live with the damaged units almost three months after the fire.
“I’m not coming back because my kids don’t have gas or electricity,” he said. “The walls are burning. They’re like mold covered in ashes and toxins.”
Residents said they wanted to clean up damaged units and restore power. The building is not red tagged, but still has significant damage.
“All we want is to live with basic essentials,” said resident Brenda Lopez. “We just want to shower with hot water again and cook meals for our families. We want to know we can leave the house and come back safely.”
Residents of Altadena’s apartment, damaged by Eton Fire, have made a statement after saying their unit remains accused and poses a risk to their health. (KTLA) Carport burned out during an Eton fire. (KTLA) Residents of Altadena’s apartments damaged by the Eton fire make a statement after saying their units were impossible and pose a risk to their health. (KTLA) Carport burned out during an Eton fire. (KTLA) Many residents still have their belongings in their bags as they say that damaged apartment units remain essential. (KTLA) The windows remain on board, and tenants will restore power to their Altadena apartments since the Eton Fire. (KTLA) Residents of Altadena’s apartments damaged by the Eton fire make a statement after saying their units were impossible and pose a risk to their health. (KTLA) Residents of Altadena’s apartments damaged by the Eton fire make a statement after saying their units were impossible and pose a risk to their health. (KTLA) Residents of Altadena’s apartments damaged by the Eton fire make a statement after saying their units were impossible and pose a risk to their health. (KTLA)
Many tenants moved out of the 47-unit building after the Eton fire damage. However, despite the damage caused by the smoke, many say there is no other place to go.
Tenants are working with community advocates to require LA County officials to step in to help.
A spokesperson for the property management company said KTLA has given Awating County permission to proceed with the restoration work.
“It’s a process,” said Viviana Rebollar, Regency Management. “They want to go home and hope that we and them will come back.”
Residents said they would continue to speak out and put pressure on the management company.
“We’re here to fight for everyone who chooses not to do so. We want to be the voice of everyone who can’t speak for someone who is too scared,” Lopez said.
Management said it is working with the county and federal agencies to restore electricity and clean the property. They are reportedly not charging tenants rent until everything is restored.
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