MAUMEE, OH (Toledo News Now) – Quail Ridge Apartment residents are finally getting answers they have been search for since their homes caught fire early last month, but it might not be what they wanted.
Building E at Quail Ridge Apartments is still standing after it was engulfed in flames in early June. However, the demolition permit has been filed and the building should come down next week.
"We never thought that kind of thing would happen. I always felt bad for everyone else it would happen to, but it never dawned on me it would really happen here," said Debi Binkley.
Debi and Gary Binkley were relieved they and their neighbors got out safely, but were left wondering if they would get inside to search for those irreplaceable items.
"I really wanted the photographs and everything, but I guess we'll have to go by memory now," said Binkley.
The building was condemned, but there was still hope for the opportunity to look for personal belongings after the demolition. On Thursday, it was determined that residents would not get the chance to look through the rubble.
"It's not realistically safe. A - The building is unstable. B - You're going to have a multitude of heavy equipment: large trucks, dumpsters. We're not going to want anybody in the way. And then you have the health and environmental issues," explained Bob Klumm with Klumm Brothers Excavating.
Klumm Brothers Excavating is the company that will demolish the building. Klumm said asbestos in the ceiling and other factors make it a dangerous demo.
"You've got refrigerators that have had food in them for over a month. It's not going to be the cleanliest situation for anyone to be entering. There is nothing that could possibly be in there that would worth being hurt over at this point," said Klumm.
Klumm Brothers Excavating will use thousands of gallons of water to keep any dangerous particles from floating through the air.
It will take four days to demolish the building instead of the usual two. Everyone on the job is specially trained for this type of demolition.
"Asbestos in this form was protected by paint. It wasn't moving, but now we're going to get into a situation where we're fracturing it," said Klumm.
The Binkleys are thankful to finally have closure.
"It's tough, but at least we have an answer, and that's what is really most important," said Binkley.
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The demolition permit has been filed and the Quail Ridge Apartment building, once engulfed in flames, should come down next week.
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