LITTLETON — An apartment community for people 55 and older that was damaged in a November fire has now been deemed uninhabitable, according to a release from the city.
On Nov. 17, a fire evacuated the east tower of the Windermere apartment community. One person was killed and 13 others were taken to the hospital.
Residents are now being told the building, located at 5800 South Datura St., will not be safe to return to in the near future.
A fund to assist the victims has been set up through the Arapahoe County Foundations.
According to the city of Littleton release, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment requires micro vac air testing after a fire like this. The tests found asbestos on surfaces like walls, stairwells and air ducts.
They will now need to clean the building as well as repair damage to the building's elevators, ventilation and fire control system, according to the release.
“We’re calling upon the community to help raise funds for the victims of the fire. In April of 2016, when the same apartment complex caught on fire, our generous community raised more than $18,000,” Jeff Baker, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners in Arapahoe County, said in a news release. “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.”
The release says there were 130 units in the complex and nine of them are considered a total loss.
Residents of the other units will be able to go into their homes so they get their belongings sometime in the next few weeks, the release says. The information on how and when this will happen will come from Windermere property management.
The Arapahoe County Foundation was created to "facilitate contributions of funds, property and/or services to programs designed or intended to promote the health, welfare and safety of Arapahoe County citizens," according to its website.