Residents of burned-out Merritt apartment looking into class-action lawsuit
MERRITT, B.C. — Residents of a burned-out apartment complex in Merritt are weighing their options, including a class-action lawsuit to recoup some of their belongings, for what they call “negligence” from the owners.
Debbie Walter and a handful of other residents of the Kengard Manor have reached out to a law firm in Kelowna, which confirmed to CFJC Today that it has committed to looking into their grievance. The Merritt Fire Department hasn’t yet to determine the cause of the fire — not able to enter the north side of the building that’s been deemed structurally unsafe. But Walker and other residents are putting the blame on the owner.
“We just want anything. Anything is better than nothing. If we have to sue, we are going to sue,” said Walter. “I’m going to look into it. If I can get a group of people on my side, and there’s lots. I’ve already called Karen from [Columbia] Property Management and told her I’m going ahead. I said there’s so much wrong here. Something good has to come back to us out of all this.”