Lost Springs’ legal team responds after residents displaced because of fire

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — UPDATE: KNWA/FOX24 received a statement from the legal team representing Lost Springs Apartments:

“The management of Lost Springs Apartments does not comment regarding resident issues. The fire that occurred on July 22, 2023 in Building N at Lost Springs continues to be under investigation by the cause and origin investigators of Lost Springs’ insurance provider and the Fire Marshal. When residents impacted by the fire were notified of the termination of their lease due to the substantial damage caused by the fire, the residents were also notified by Lost Springs that they would be refunded prorated July rent from the date of the fire and the full amount of their security deposits. Although Lost Springs sympathizes with any resident impacted by the fire, its managers and the the provisions of its lease strongly encourage renters to obtain renters insurance to help minimize any impact in the event of such a tragic event.”

ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Many were left without a place to go after a fire at the Lost Springs apartment complex in Rogers on Saturday.

Residents were feeling sad about losing their homes, and are upset with how apartment management has handled the situation.

“Told my best friend. I said, ‘I feel like I’ve been stomped on and then somebody forgot to clean me up the bottom of their shoe,’” said 70-year-old Roger Christian.

Christian is a resident at Lost Springs Apartment. Most of the damage in his apartment came from the water used to put the fire out. But before he could finish filing an insurance claim, he got more bad news.

“And the notice said we had two days to vacate because of the fire in my apartment estate. Because of the fire in your apartment. We are we are taking, you know, to have you evicted. And I’m thinking I didn’t cause no fire,” said Christian.

Christian says when he spoke with Lost Springs apartment management after the fire happened, he and 11 other residents were given two days to pack up their belongings and be evicted.

Charlene Gear’s mother also lives in the apartment complex. She says they were told that after today, what’s left in the apartments belongs to Lost Springs.

“And it’s very stressful. And especially when they won’t even help. You know, they say they can’t. Well, they can at least provide some numbers, maybe, of people who can. I don’t know. You know, they don’t, and they won’t, actually,” said Gear.

Residents were also informed that Thursday morning the building will be bulldozed and rebuilt. But, they have the option to come back to the new apartment when it’s finished. With a little help from the Red Cross, Gear says her mother will have to live in a hotel until they figure out next steps.