Two seniors displaced by a suspected explosion in their London apartment building are being placed in a unit with no heating or furniture by their landlord while a city repair order has been issued.
Lynn Buckingham, 72, her roommate Doug Shearing, and other displaced renters were housed in a downtown hotel by the Red Cross for a week by the Red Cross after the New Year’s fire at 1182 Adelaide Street North.
They were told to check with Medallion Corporation, the Toronto-based real estate management company that owns the building, on Friday on behalf of the City of London to make the units habitable that same day.
That deadline had expired on Saturday, Buckingham and Shearing were freezing, sleeping on the floor and wanting answers.
Doug Shearing had to sleep on the floor as they were given a bedless unit. (Submitted by Doug Shearing)
“Take us back to a hotel, motel, anything until that’s done because that’s not right,” Buckingham said.
Medallion put the roommates in an empty unit in an adjacent building. They say the heater is not working and they resorted to the stove to warm up. They were also given a portable heater, which Shearing said was “so small it doesn’t do anything”.
“And [Shearing has] have arthritis so bad. I have a bit and sometimes have trouble walking. My hip is going to give way so this is a nightmare for us, “said Buckingham.
CBC News reached out to Medallion Corporation, but a spokesman said Friday that there was “no comment at this time”.
Meanwhile, London police are investigating the explosion and said Friday that no charges had been brought.
There is a safety notice posted on the building on Adelaide Street stating that it is unsafe for local residents because of the explosion.
A safety advisory was published in 1182 Adelaide St. N. (James Chaarani / CBC).
“The building components damaged by the explosion include walls, ceilings, fire barriers and life-safe components,” the statement said.
“Remedial action” would have to be taken by January 7th to “make the building safe”.
Buckingham and Shearing were allowed to return to their units with a Medallion employee to retrieve their belongings.
They were told they could move their beds to the new unit themselves, Shearing said. Your original unit is on the first floor in another building and they are now on the sixth floor. Shearing says moving beds is impossible in her condition.
According to the roommates, there is no damage to the apartment that they can see, but they have no answers about the type of repairs that will be required.
The entrance to 1182 Adelaide St. N has been blocked. (James Chaarani / CBC London)
“I don’t know if they’re done, they’re still working on it. Sometimes trying to get information is like pulling teeth,” said Buckingham.
They say they have not been given a date when they can go home, even though they say they paid rent for the month of January.
