"I've lost again:" Months after apartment fire, tenants frustrated

Months after fire, Greenfield residents still can`t get into their apartments

GREENFIELD (WITI) -- It's been months since a fire ripped through a Greenfield apartment complex, and a lot was lost, but not everything. Tenants say they still haven't been able to claim what's left.

On a freezing day in March, flames shot through a Greenfield apartment complex.

"The first window to bust out was that one right there," said Karen Switon, former tenant.

Renters watched as part of the building was damaged.

"I left with my cell phone, my coat, my hat and the clothes on my back," said Switon.

Now, three months later, Switon and others say they still have not been allowed back in to get their belongings and take a look around.

"The apartment building's saying, 'We don't know anything, you can't get in there, it's not safe,'" said Switon.

The renters say they've been told the building is not structurally sound. Something they don't believe.

"I wouldn't go into the middle apartments, you'd be nuts to do that, but on the outside ones, were maybe only water damage," said Switon. "The floors were solid, I could see the rug underneath, there were no holes in the floor."

They say the building owners are throwing out their stuff, without their consent.

"When I look at it and everything that I've lost again, it is a bit overwhelming." said Switon.

They are so determined to get their things, some have resorted to searching dumpsters.

"I thought I'd at least have a chance to get some things out of there," said Switon. "I hope I get my stuff back."

They will continue to wait, frustrated that the building owner refuses to let them in to see what's left.

"I feel like I've been in utter chaos, and I thought it would calm down, but it hasn't. It just goes on and on and on," said Switon.

FOX6 has put in multiples calls to the property owners. Those calls have not been returned. The city tells us a representative from that company says it will do another comprehensive investigation and intends to repair the building.

The cause of the fire has bot been determined.