Nearly six months after two UC students died in a house fire, city and university officials want to help prevent another such tragedy from happening again. Today, the Cincinnati Fire Department began inspecting off campus housing units, looking for fire code violations. If landlords pass the test, they will be placed on a safe student housing list.
Local 12 News Reporter Larry Davis has more on why the list is important to students, parents and the landlords.
“They’re full of life and the next day they’re dead…as a parent do you want that?”
Ann Garner joined UC, city and fire officials in announcing the establishment of the safe student housing list. Six months ago, Garner’s daughter, Ellen, and Chad Kohls died in a fire at an off campus home in University Heights. An investigation determined there was no alternative escape route from the third floor where their bodies were found.
Ann Garner, Victim’s Mother: “The window was blocked, but if it wasn’t blocked with that air conditioner…killed them, too.”
To get on the safe student housing list, landlords must volunteer to have their off campus apartments inspected by the Cincinnati Fire Department. Inspectors went through this relatively new apartment building in Corryville, going door to door, floor by floor, checking smoke detectors, hallway safety lights and stairwells. Inspectors say students need to be safety conscious when it comes to outlets and extension cords.
Captain Steve Coldiron, Cincinnati Fire Department: “Those extension cords, if used as permanent wiring…it leads to a fire.”
At first glance the gas grill on the fourth floor would appear to be a clear fire code violation, but fire officials say the builders did their homework in putting sprinklers on the balconies. Ann Garner says Cincinnati can lead the nation in improving fire safety at off campus housing, by making sure landlords follow the law.
“You have to have the ability to live and if its a ladder thats permanently installed… our nightmare.”
University and city officials hope peer pressure will lead more landlords to volunteer for the fire code inspections. Not being on the safe housing list could impact their ability to attract renters.
Hat tip to Ed Comeau of Campus Firewatch (http://www.campus-firewatch.com/).
