Baring Street fire remains under investigation
Noah Cohen
Issue date: 6/8/07 Section: News
Gresysa said that he was not in the house at the time of the fire but did not hear any alarms when he arrived.
Fire alarms were not the only issue for some tenants.
"They really weren't helpful, the landlord was unreachable until Tuesday or Wednesday," said Gresysa.
Kothapalli and Singh also said that the landlord was difficult to reach in the days after the fire. The two received support from Drexel's Residential Living Office and were placed in the Race Street Dorm temporarily.
Powelton Properties supplied The Triangle with three photos showing what is alleged to be the alarm system in 3616 Baring Street.
The Triangle could not independently verify the location of the photos because Powelton Properties would not allow a photographer or reporter into the building citing insurance reasons.
The landlord did not provide photos showing smoke detectors, however, Singh said he believed a smoke detector was located outside his room.
"They have them but they didn't buzz," Singh said.
The United States Fire Administration recommends placing "a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside bedrooms" according to their website.
The USFA also recommends that fire alarm systems be tested monthly.
Tenants at 3616 Baring Street said they could not remember any such tests.
"I don't recall anyone coming around to test the alarms," Gresysa said.
Both Singh and Kothapalli said they were not made aware of any tests.
The City of Philadelphia requires that "one and two family dwellings" and "owner-occupied one family dwellings" are required to have electric smoke detection systems according a Department of License and Inspections document.
The document, titled "Partners for Good Housing" is required to be distributed to tenants who sign new leases after Sept 2006 according to Brad Kenny, coordinator for community development in the University Office of Campus Activities.
Kenny supervises the University's effort to educate students about housing options.
Fire alarms were not the only issue for some tenants.
"They really weren't helpful, the landlord was unreachable until Tuesday or Wednesday," said Gresysa.
Kothapalli and Singh also said that the landlord was difficult to reach in the days after the fire. The two received support from Drexel's Residential Living Office and were placed in the Race Street Dorm temporarily.
Powelton Properties supplied The Triangle with three photos showing what is alleged to be the alarm system in 3616 Baring Street.
The Triangle could not independently verify the location of the photos because Powelton Properties would not allow a photographer or reporter into the building citing insurance reasons.
The landlord did not provide photos showing smoke detectors, however, Singh said he believed a smoke detector was located outside his room.
"They have them but they didn't buzz," Singh said.
The United States Fire Administration recommends placing "a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside bedrooms" according to their website.
The USFA also recommends that fire alarm systems be tested monthly.
Tenants at 3616 Baring Street said they could not remember any such tests.
"I don't recall anyone coming around to test the alarms," Gresysa said.
Both Singh and Kothapalli said they were not made aware of any tests.
The City of Philadelphia requires that "one and two family dwellings" and "owner-occupied one family dwellings" are required to have electric smoke detection systems according a Department of License and Inspections document.
The document, titled "Partners for Good Housing" is required to be distributed to tenants who sign new leases after Sept 2006 according to Brad Kenny, coordinator for community development in the University Office of Campus Activities.
Kenny supervises the University's effort to educate students about housing options.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Ashley Brennan
posted 3/05/08 @ 7:33 AM EST
I used to live in that building too on the third floor. That place was so poorly maintained.. it looked like a fire hazard waiting to happen. I did have a smoke detector in my apartment but it did not appear to be in good working order. (Continued…)
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