ATLANTA — An investigation is underway after another fire broke out at the vacant Forest Cove Apartments in southeast Atlanta Monday morning.
According to city officials, it is the fourth fire that has happened at the property since October. Monday's event also marks the second time within the last month.
11Alive's SkyTracker flew over the scene, where crews could be seen dousing one of the buildings with water. Monday's fire damaged two units, with one of the units collapsing. Luckily, no one was hurt.
The complex itself has been the subject of much controversy in the last couple of years, with former residents complaining of unsafe conditions, no heat or air, and even rats.
"This goes back to along history by the property owner of completely neglecting the responsibility to this particular property and surrounding community," said Courtney English, the City of Atlanta's Senior Policy Advisor.
In August of 2022, the City of Atlanta began helping 200 families relocate after a judge condemned the complex, citing health and safety concerns.
"It's a big rock of crime. There have been 1,000 police calls to that particular property in the last two years, and that's after it was ordered demolished," said English.
In June, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) canceled its contract with the property owner, rendering Forest Cove ineligible for Section 8 housing. In October, the city initiated a lawsuit on behalf of residents against Phoenix Ridge. The property owner is a subsidiary of Millennia Housing Management
The city has been in a contentious battle over the property with owner Phoenix Ridge.
When 11Alive asked Monday who's responsible for securing the property to avoid fires like this, Phoenix Ridge sent a statement saying, "Through an agreement, the City has the right and the ability to secure the property. The City has not done so."
City of Atlanta officials believe that is an absurd assumption and are working on other solutions.
"We plan on filing a class action lawsuit against this property owner to hold them accountable for the conditions they kept those people in for so long, as well as the continued conditions that the neighborhood around this property is having to deal with," said English.
Phoenix Ridge released the following statement on Monday's fire:
The recent string of fires at Forest Cove is a direct result of the City’s deliberate actions to block Phoenix Ridge’s $58 million renovation of Forest Cove. Almost two years ago, the City was given the right to secure, police, and demolish the property, with the Municipal Court of the City of Atlanta stating that “the City shall be permitted to pursue all available remedies to abate said nuisance, including but not limited to, razing and demolishing structures; complying or securing the structures; and securing and entering upon the Property.”
In fact, since obtaining a demolition order, the City has always had the right to police, secure, and demolish the property under the authority of the Atlanta Housing Code (Sections 55-56), the Municipal Court’s December 2021 order, and the Cooperation and Settlement Agreement it entered with Phoenix Ridge, and then deliberately breached, as the court already found. However, the City has chosen not to exercise its power to closely monitor and demolish the property and instead holds press conferences and points blame at Phoenix Ridge.
The City’s actions and breach of agreement are the foundation of the nearly $70 million lawsuit filed by Phoenix Ridge, and the responsibility for this fire, as well as any future incidents, rests solely with Mayor Dickens.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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