TULSA -- Management with a Tulsa apartment complex have forced tenants to live without heat for more than a month, and given them only a space heater for warmth.
The fire department was notified after a 2 Works for You investigation.
There are about 30 to 40 units at Fulton Plaza at East 46th Street and South Fulton Avenue. Now, the fire department is making sure someone is on watch to prevent a fire or death.
A notice reading “Please open the shades to let heat in during the day and a towel in front of the door to block out the cold. Dress in layers if you can" was left on every apartment door on Dec. 7.
Management claimed the boiler broke, and residents wouldn't have heat for three weeks.
One resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said management gave tenants space heaters.
“Here you have 30 or 40 units, everybody has a space heater. I mean that’s just a fire waiting to happen," the resident said.
The health department said every apartment must be kept at 65 degrees from October to March to keep it livable. Tenants say even with a space heater, it hasn't reached that temperature.
“I would turn the oven on and open it and let it get really warm,” a resident said.
The Tulsa Fire Department wasn't made aware of the situation by the apartment complex.
Tulsa Fire spokesman Stan May said crews have to inspect every room, check smoke detectors and make sure space heaters are three feet away from anything that could burn.
May said management had the option to relocate every tenant until the boiler was fixed, but they chose not to.
Now, May said their only option is to pay for a fire watch crew.
Apartment management said the earlier heat could be restored is Monday. Until then, a fire watch crew is required to be present.
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