Spring Lake management under fire for lack of action as residents scramble to find new homes

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The single-building fire at Spring Lake Apartments on New Year’s Day left all of its residents with a notice to evacuate, including those residents whose buildings were unaffected by the flames.

With now days left to vacate the property, ABC Columbia’s Lee Williams spoke with one tenant who believes management at the complex isn’t doing enough to right the situation.

“It’s a shame that people will treat others this way and just expect them to sit there and hold and hold and hold,” says resident Dona Edmonds.

Fire officials say fireworks caused the blaze on New Year’s Day, leaving 50 people displaced.

Soon after, other residents like Edmonds were surprised to find evacuation notices by the Columbia Fire Marshal’s Office throughout the complex — deeming all the buildings unsafe due to electrical issues.

On Wednesday, Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins reiterated the surprise could’ve been prevented, since management was given time to comply with needed rehabilitation and to inform their tenants before the 30-day notices were placed.

“When we first told management about what we were going to do even before we posted, they should have reached out to residents then not waiting until we posted,” says Chief Jenkins.

With days remaining to vacate, Edmonds says management isn’t moving quickly enough to help residents relocate, fulfill ongoing maintenance requests including water and electrical issues, or provide necessary refunds.

“I can’t do anything I’m locked in for money and everything because I have to fill out what I’m doing. I need a release letter before I put this stuff in storage, because you’re not charging me and holding me to a lease that you breached,” she says, finding that communication with management has been a sore spot.

Recently, Edmonds says management sent out a message to all tenants saying January rent was still due.

“They should not be taking rent from anybody. Those tenants ought to be able to take that money and find them someplace else,” says Chief Jenkins.

Just after Williams’ interview with Edmonds in her apartment behind the leasing office, Edmonds says a message from management went out saying all rent payments are now suspended until further notice.

Having already paid her January rent on time, Edmonds says she’s looking for reimbursement.

“I want every dime and dollar of my money back. My security deposit, and since I know they don’t have any sense of humanity for people, I can forget the apology. Because you knew what you were pushing when you hurried up to fill these apartments,” she says.

Chief Jenkins understands that some tenants also remain upset with fire officials for the notice. But, he says, safety is his top priority.

“If we have to take the hit for it, I’d much rather be talking with them, than talking about them because something tragic happened and somebody  lost their life,” he says.

ABC Columbia’s Lee Williams reached out to Spring Lake management, but they declined to comment.