So, uhm, yeah... there was a real life FIRE in my apartment building....

[hockeyslave]

within the past week, there was a fire in my building.
third floor, across the hall from me.

Not burnt toast, or overly dry sunday Roast, but an honest to God, Call the Firemen, get out the water hoses FIRE.

Not sure how long the link will stay active, but heres the link to the newspaper report:
2015/01/15/third-floor-fire-evacuates-reid-st-

Comments

[hockeyslave]

building owner pressured the newspaper to remove and close the comment thread for the article. THen has accused me of slander and calling them a racist, or whatnot. Just love how someone who builds a building for disabled/low income tenants, just gets up and leaves never to be seen from again, except when its time to collect money from the washers and dryers downstairs (which spend more time broken, then actually working.)

Also found out, that because the structure is not an "institution" fire and building codes are different, not just different, RADICALLY Different. If this was a regular apartment building, theres one set of fire code to build to. If it was an institution, theres another more strict set of rules to build to. But because this building has mostly wheelchair/disabled people in it, its neither an apartment building (as we were lead to believe it was), but nor is it an institution (which the general population of the city believe it is), with a THIRD set of rules to build to. More then an apartment, but less then an institution, and all confused as hell.

I mean, why can't they building 'majority' structures like this, to institution standards, but let tenants live as if it was an apartment, which is how its "sold" to them when they move in. I mean, we're told "heres a place to call your own, its not a hospital or long term care facility like your used to, so theres not the same stringent rules about living under someone elses roof, etc... its your own home, that just happens to have on site, assisted living service providers. (on site butlers and maids if you will.) Yet, once you move in, your neighbours outside the building all call it a Facility/Institution, the fire safety code allows the ownness for missing parts or safety aides, to fall on whomevers shoulders happen to occupy the majority of the building... rather then the building owner... thus treating it more like a corporate facility, then a residential housing structure. gah, what a fucking mess.

And the kicker is... no one... not the fire department, city planning and standards, Provincial boards, Building owners or finaciers .. are doing anything about fixing that mess of codes they call Fire Safety and Building Codes. Everyone is passing the buck, and us poor tenants are left to suffer.

My nerves haven't been 'calm' since the fire back in january. and with this looming potential eviction (because i tried to speak up and be heard) i've been a nervous wreck. I could be "evicted" at the end of this month, or i might be granted grace... Building owner rather use sledge hammers to deal with upset tennants rather then calm voice of requests.

I mean, why ask nicely, when you can threaten them and make their lives miserable?!