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LITTLETON, Colo. -- More than 160 seniors were displaced, and a 70-year-old man was killed, by a fire at the Windemere 55 and older community in Littleton in November.
Recently, the complex alerted residents that the building was uninhabitable due to high levels of Asbestos.
Management just gave out a city-approved schedule for residents to go back inside and pack their belongings before vacating. They have one day to pack and another day to get out.
"It's impossible to pack your life away in two days," said a crying Lecia Redding who lived in a first-floor apartment. She is more concerned about her neighbors who lived above her. The elevators are not operational anymore.
"You can’t see a 94-year-old climbing five flights of stairs to determine whether or not they’re gonna keep their stuff or trash it," she said.
Denver7 talked with Andy Boin, the CEO of Dovetail Solutions, which was the company hired by Windermere to conduct public relations after the fire. He says the schedule is flexible.
"This schedule is not set in stone. If they need some extra time they’ll have extra time," he explained. "This is just a way to set up so people are having an orderly way to get out and a scheduled way to get out."
Many of the seniors do not have the financial resources to cope with this disaster, so the Arapahoe County Commissioners created a fund to help with their security deposits and other rental requirements. In addition, Arapahoe County Community Resources staff is working to find housing options for the seniors.
“We’re calling upon the community to help raise funds for the victims of the fire,” said Board of County Commissioners Board Chair Jeff Baker. “In April of 2016, when the same apartment complex caught on fire, our generous community raised more than $18,000. More victims are in need this time. Help us raise additional funds to support victims of the fire, through needs such as utility deposits, security deposits, moving expenses, initial supplies of food and other basic necessities.”
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