Residents concerned with recent apartment fires
Updated: November 27, 2012
SAVOY -- In the last several months, there have been three fires at the Parkview Senior Apartments. The Champaign County Sheriff's Office ruled the first two arson.
They said someone set fire to two different fake potted plants. The first incident happened in August, followed by another a few weeks later in September.
The third, and most recent, happened Saturday in the community kitchen on the second floor. Residents say someone put newspapers on top of the stove. Fire officials say they are currently waiting on tests to determine if this fire was intentionally set as well.
Around 270 residents live in the building. Several of them held a meeting Monday in the downstairs lobby.
LaDonna Bange was among them. She's been living in the apartment complex for four years now, and she's concerned over safety.
"There's just so much that could happen," said Bange. "Many people are not able to get around."
All the residents at Parkview Apartments are over 55. They hope to get security cameras in the hallway to deter vandalism and other problems.
Bange says there have been other issues in the past. Packages, magazines and laundry have been stolen from common areas. She stresses many of the residents feel like they haven't been heard by management.
Parkview Apartments is owned by Steadfast Property out of California. The on-site manager says she could not comment, but said the company was aware of the recent problems. Calls to the company have not yet been returned.
They said someone set fire to two different fake potted plants. The first incident happened in August, followed by another a few weeks later in September.
The third, and most recent, happened Saturday in the community kitchen on the second floor. Residents say someone put newspapers on top of the stove. Fire officials say they are currently waiting on tests to determine if this fire was intentionally set as well.
Around 270 residents live in the building. Several of them held a meeting Monday in the downstairs lobby.
LaDonna Bange was among them. She's been living in the apartment complex for four years now, and she's concerned over safety.
"There's just so much that could happen," said Bange. "Many people are not able to get around."
All the residents at Parkview Apartments are over 55. They hope to get security cameras in the hallway to deter vandalism and other problems.
Bange says there have been other issues in the past. Packages, magazines and laundry have been stolen from common areas. She stresses many of the residents feel like they haven't been heard by management.
Parkview Apartments is owned by Steadfast Property out of California. The on-site manager says she could not comment, but said the company was aware of the recent problems. Calls to the company have not yet been returned.
