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High-Rise That Caught Fire Hadn't Been Inspected In 5 Years

POSTED: 3:58 pm EST November 25, 2008
UPDATED: 6:11 pm EST November 25, 2008

An exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation uncovered new information on the high-rise apartment fire in East Cleveland.

The Lake Park Tower Apartments caught fire Saturday and now the city's mayor, who lives in the building, is taking action.

A June 2003 inspection letter to Lake Park Towers showed no violations, but promised further inspections "this time next year."

But a NewsChannel5 investigation found the same apartment tower housing 500 people hasn't had a single Fire Department inspection in more than five years, reported Ron Regan.

"And this building has not been inspected since '03. I'm infuriated," Mayor Eric Brewer said.

Brewer said there's no excuse for zero inspections and he's taking swift action.

"I will be issuing general reprimands to the individuals who are in charge -- all of the leadership of the Fire Department, they will be getting reprimands," said Brewer. "Because everybody who is in leadership -- from the lieutenants to the captains to the deputy chiefs to the chief -- should have been on top of their game to make sure these inspections are done on an annual basis. And so I have zero tolerance for this crap."

The investigation also found there is no annual fire prevention license on file. It's required for every building and has a checklist of key safety categories including alarms systems, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

The mayor has also ordered every high-rise and senior living building in the city to be inspected by next week.

"In fact, I'm freaking thrilled you brought this information to my attention. When I looked at your public records request I said, 'This is what I would do as a journalist.' And I called the office to get the files and I was on my way over there, and here you come through the door," Brewer said.

If those buildings are not inspected on time, Brewer is promising disciplinary charges.





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