Investigations underway in Birmingham apartment complex without power

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WIAT) – An apartment building in east Birmingham has been without power and air conditioning for over a week.

Residents of the Twin Gates apartment complex have been living without electricity for nine days, causing problems with air conditioning, lights and cooking appliances.

While CBS 42 was speaking with residents, Birmingham Police launched an unclassified death investigation at the complex. It was confirmed that the person was found dead in a part of the building where the power was out.

“It’s a danger. Some people are having problems, they could die from heat exhaustion,” said local resident Lawrence Green.

On June 9, a fire in one of the units forced Alabama Power to shut off power to part of the residence.

The Twin Gates Apartment is owned by Warrior Equity Group. A representative for the group said all necessary repairs have been made and the delays in restoring power were due to Birmingham building inspectors.

The city says a pre-permit inspection must be scheduled so the power can be turned back on at the building. As of Tuesday afternoon, Warrior Equity Group had not filed forms to send a city inspector to the property.

Residents of Twin Gates say they don’t know how much longer they can live without electricity.

“We’re suffering, we’re suffering, man, it’s sad,” Green said. “I paid my rent, I paid my electric bill. Somebody has to be held accountable, man, people’s lives are in danger, man.”

“I don’t know how I’ve endured it for so long,” said resident Jeffry Pugh. “But it shouldn’t be like this, it shouldn’t be like this.”

Further calls to Warrior Equity Group were unsuccessful because its phone line was shut down. The company’s mailing address was closed more than six months ago, according to postal workers.