A six-alarm fire at Cooper Apartments has forced dozens of Fort Worth residents from their homes, leaving them frustrated over poor communication and unanswered questions about rent, repairs, and relocation. While the Fort Worth Apartment Association offered donated essentials on Friday, tenants say management’s help is still lacking.
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Rent Payment Chaos
Many residents are confused about rent after the fire. “They don’t answer emails. They don’t answer texts,” said Evelyn Martinez. “They posted the rent, but they said to turn off autopay. I know a lot of people who paid for July’s rent, and they can’t get their money back.” Ashlyn, another tenant, said she has no idea when she can re-enter her unit, adding she has nothing to move with and no savings to fall back on.
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Damage and Mold Fears
Jocelyn Sanchez revealed major damage inside her apartment. She shared an image of a gaping ceiling hole and fears the soaked building could lead to more problems. “All that water is going to be in the vents,” she said. One resident has already spotted mold growing around her AC unit.
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Uncertainty Over Leases
Sanchez, who fled with her cat Coco, is now questioning her lease and the next steps. “A lot of us don’t know if we’re going to be able to get out of our lease,” she said. Management has hinted that if units are livable, rent may still be expected, despite the unsafe conditions.
Residents Demand Refunds
Some tenants say they want their deposits returned and rent adjusted for June. “Maybe even give us a prorated rate for June,” Sanchez said. “Obviously, we haven’t been staying there, especially for Building One. If they could get their deposits back and all of that. It’s just a very sad situation.”
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Management’s Limited Response
A Cooper Apartments manager declined an on-camera interview but told CBS News Texas that residents can break their leases by emailing management. They are still figuring out what to do about July rent, leaving families uncertain about their next move.
Donation Drive Offers Relief
In the meantime, the Fort Worth Apartment Association stepped in to help, handing out clothes and toiletries Friday. For many displaced tenants, though, the small gesture feels like more than they’ve received from their own property managers.
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Cause of Fire Identified
On Friday, the Fort Worth Fire Department released its investigative report, confirming the fire was accidental. Officials say it began due to an electrical failure in the crawl space above the top floor. A maintenance contractor had reportedly been addressing an HVAC issue at the time the fire ignited.
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