COLUMBIA, S.C. — Three weeks ago, residents of one building at Boulder Creek Apartments were forced to evacuate after it was deemed unsafe.
“I’m actually staying with family members because, like I said, they offered us the $1,200 and basically said that's the down payment for somewhere else to move," one evacuated resident said. "I did ask is there a way that you can accommodate me by giving me another apartment in the same apartment complex. They said, no, nothing will be available for at least 30 to 60 days."
Residents are still not allowed to enter the apartment building, which was deemed unsafe after the Columbia-Richland Fire Department found electrical problems.
“It’s really heartbreaking that we don't have nowhere to go," the resident said. "This just came literally overnight. We had a message posted on the building basically saying we can't be in there and, basically, if we go back in the building, it's trespassing.”
Following the evacuation, the entire apartment complex was inspected. Fire officials found missing smoke alarms, water leaks, and mold in several other apartments. News19 contacted the apartment company for an update but has not received a response. Fire officials said the property owners have been working on correcting the issues.
The Columbia-Richland Fire Department will reinspect the apartments in the coming weeks.