The group plans to discuss Avenium, the building’s commercial landlord.
ATLANTA — People who have been forced to rebuild following a massive apartment fire on the edge of Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood are planning on hosting a news conference Saturday morning.
About a week after the tragic event, victims of the Reserve at LaVista Walk apartment fire will gather outside of The Original Pancake House, across from the charred complex, “to brief the community about the negligent safety record of Avenium, the building’s commercial landlord,” a news release from a litigation firm reads.
The boutique firm, Dean Thaxton, notes that Avenium has a portfolio that includes many other multi-dwelling properties across Atlanta.
“It’s too late for the hundreds of us who called the Reserve home, but we hope to save tenants living in other Avenium properties the anguish of watching their home burn and knowing that their landlord failed in their most important duty: to maintain a safe property,” Alyssa Greene, one of the residents forced out due to the fire said in a news release. She is slated to speak Saturday at 10 a.m., according to the firm.
More on Reserve at LaVista Walk apartment fire
Dozens of people are working through the shock of losing all of their belongings in the Atlanta apartment fire. A week after the first firefighter response, the building remains roped off and residents have not been allowed to collect their items.
The fire first broke out late Nov. 10 and grew massive through early that Saturday morning. It was likely caused by two people setting off fireworks, according to authorities, and the pair is facing charges.
Amid collapse hazards, fire investigators are working to see if there were any code violations or issues with the building. There’s no current timeline for the investigation. However, Atlanta Fire and Rescue Chief Roderick Smith called the fire an “anomaly,” explaining how it was started and how long it took for smoke and fire alarms to sound off.
Miraculously, no one was hurt, but hundreds of people lost everything they owned with no immediate reprieve in sight. With the complex left open, fire victims are now becoming looting victims, too.
To see how you can help the former residents, click here.
