In a March 16 inspection, Augusta Fire Department investigators found 19 fire code violations at the Bon Air Apartments, located at 2101 Walton Way, and there may be more.
According to fire department, the manager on duty was not available and the maintenance person the Fire Marshal inspectors spoke with did not have keys to some of the areas of interest, despite having given the complex 24 hours notice that specified which areas would be under inspection.
The reports show that inspectors found that the smoke detection system had issues and that there were no records to show the system is tested regularly.
Several exit signs were missing or damaged, the report notes, fire extinguishers were missing on several floors, and the windows on the lower floor stairs had bars preventing an emergency exit in the case of a fire. Even the kitchen area did not have a proper fire extinguisher.
Combustible material was found throughout the building including the electrical room and basement. An electrical junction box on the third floor was lacking a cover, the report states.
According to the report, a secondary inspection is required to give inspectors access to the locked areas and the owners of the property; Redwood Housing, located in Redwood, Texas, has 30 days to fix the issues.
There is the possibility that even more violations are present, however, fire officials cannot go door to door and inspect each unit without the renter’s assent, according to Jason DeHart, spokesman for the Augusta Fire Department.
“If they call us and report an issue, then we can gain access, but we can’t just enter a unit unless we have probable cause,” DeHart said.
The official inspection came on the heels of Augusta Fire Chief Antonio Burden visiting the building himself on the urging of District 3 Commissioner Catherine McNight.
“I’d first like to thank Commissioner McKnight for inviting me to complete a walkthrough of the Bon Air Apartment building on Tuesday, March 15. During the walkthrough, it was apparent that a comprehensive inspection of the building was warranted,” Burden said in a statement.
McKnight became involved after nearby residents alerted her to criminal activity taking place on the property. Around the same time, Redwood Housing attempted to secure a zoning variance to add as many as 20 new units to the property, the Augusta Commission voted down the measure.
Shortly after, McKnight toured the building and reported that she was appalled at what she witnessed.
“The entire place smelled of urine, there were water stains all over the building, there was no security and the residents complained that homeless people were sleeping in the stairwells. It was just awful,” McKnight said.
According to McKnight, the owners have made promises over the last few months, but have yet to remediate the problems; however, McKnight says she plans to use every tool at her disposal to force the owner’s hands.
“If they think I am going away, they’re wrong. The community and the residents deserve more. This is one of the most historic buildings in Augusta and we are not going to let some absentee landlord from Texas let the building go to ruin,” McKnight said.
Scott Hudson is the senior reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
