Elderly neighbor keeps burning things... what should I do?

[Takket]

I just moved into a condo about 18 months ago. There is a VERY elderly woman that lives below me. I saw, who i THINK is her, only one time in the hallway one day. I've been told by my neighbor that has lived here a VERY long time that she is "not all there" and living alone. Her daughter lvies in the same complex, but I have never seen her. I only knows she does because my neighbors told me she does.

Three times in the last year she had burned things in her kitchen, serious enough that she called the fire department. The first time she burned something on the stove (I know this because I was out at the time and came home to find the fire department already on site. I approached them, as they were talking to the association president, and overheard them saying this.

I didn't think much of it. Accidents happen.

The second time she burned popcorn on the stove or microwave. She called the fire department. The popcorn made a little smoke and stink, and the fire department basically (I overheard them talking to her) told her that it had only smoldered a bit, and since it did not ignite at all and was already out, she had nothing to worry about, and they left. I am now rather concerned about just how "far gone" she might be if she's burning things again.

Well an hour ago my wife says, do you smell something burning? I say no. I go to the bathroom, and when I come out my wife says "Is there a fire truck outside?" I look, and YES THERE IS. Must have been nothing serious because they were pulling away when I looked. She said they pulled up "about 5 minutes ago" so whatever it was, it wasn't serious.

Well that's THREE TIMES in less than a year!!! I mean, I live here. i have a mortgage on this place for a long time to come. As a homeowner I'm now pretty seriously concerned about this person below me burning the complex down. If she's having age relate issues that make her a fire hazard, she probably shouldn't be living alone, for her OWN SAKE and mine as well.

I guess...... i don't know what to do about this.......?

I obviously have no legal leverage to "force her out", but I'm more concerned with with protecting my own interests if something terrible should happen.

Questions:
Are fire department calls public record? If I call them and ask them for logs of all calls and dispatches to the neighbors address, is that something they would have? In case I want to prove, after a fire, that this is a dangerous issue that people KNEW ABOUT before it happened

Should I contact my HOA? Or a lawyer? There is a pattern of dangerous situations being created by this person now, and i think that pattern should be known. the HOA president was AT the first fire response so he KNOWS about at least that one incident. There are 16 units in this one structure, ALL OF WHICH could be in danger of a fire.

I'm especially annoyed with the daughter. she should know her mother should NOT be living alone if she's burning things this often.

[PortTack]

1. Tough spot..I would start with the HOA. You may just end up saving her life and a lot of ppls property besides hers

When ppl can no longer be left alone safely, it’s not just a matter of trying to be nice.

[elleng]

2. Contact those 'in charge' of the place, as URGENT,

and check with fire department about their suggestions.

[TexasDem69]

3. Do you want to force this elderly person

To leave her home, that she also paid for?

[Irish_Dem]

5. The point is to make sure she does not leave in a body bag.

This woman sounds impaired and needs some sort of evaluation.

[TexasDem69]

6. She sounds impaired based on a second hand story from a neighbor

And two fires in 18 months. I absolutely agree that she might be impaired but is this enough to kick her out of her home? Dunno. Maybe, maybe not

[Irish_Dem]

12. Three fires and calls to Fire Dept in one year.

This is a direct report by a neighbor who has seen the Fire Dept show up each time.

I used to be a mandated reporter due to my state license as a mental health professional.

This is a reportable situation and I believe the Adult Protective Services should be called
to do an evaluation to determine her safety and the safety of those living in the same building.

This situation also puts Fire Dept employees at risk if she indeed starts a serious fire.

The woman is also tying up Fire Dept time when they may need to respond to other emergencies.
So it puts others outside the building at some risk as well.

I have not even discussed the property damage costs.
Most condo HOAs are notoriously underinsured.
So trying to re-build may put everyone upside down financially.

[Takket]

11. No, I want her family to do the responsible thing if she shouldn't be left home alone.

There came a time in my father-in-laws life where his attention was lapsing while driving, and my mother-in-law and wife had to take his keys away before he got himself or someone else killed.

And I want it documented, with fire department logs (I'm not sure if such logs exist?) to back me up, that these incidents were known in case I ever need to make a lawsuit of it if I'm forced out of my home.

Let me put it this way........ its not my responsibility or right to adjudicate whether it is safe for this woman to be living alone, but SOMEBODY should be weighing in on that after three fire department incidents in one year. I'd just like to raise this concern, though I'm not sure to whom i should do it......

[Irish_Dem]

4. Some thoughts:

You may want to consider calling Adult Protective Services in your county.

This woman may be putting herself and the inhabitants of the building at risk.

If you make the call, let them know that she has had three fires in the past year
and she has called the Fire Dept.

[Joinfortmill]

7. I'm just a gal who's lived in condos, so.

take what I say for what it's worth. Get some smoke detectors if you don't already have them. Then, I would do the following:
1. Talk to the hoa/condo association about your concerns. They may be addressing the situations with added rules, etc.
2. Talk to the fire dept. about any measures you can take to protect yourself.
3. Call your local social services dept. and report your concerns about this woman's safety living alone. They may come out and do a safety check on her
4. Once you've done all that, if it doesn't seem like enough, speak to an attorney. Best of luck. Let us know how it works out

[Hope22]

14. I would add to the list....

Double check your insurance policy. Some HOA’S cover to the walls and then the home owner’s policy takes over from there. Check coverage for loss of use if you have to live somewhere else in case of damage to your unit. Store a copy of your policy somewhere other than home. Ask for a copy of the HOA’S policy to show your agent to make sure there are no gaps in coverage.

[mercuryblues]

8. You should be able to get

the fire Dept records or at least the 911 calls from her address. Once you have that in hand, contact the HOA with your concerns. She could also be a chronic 911 caller.

[JoseBalow]

9. Buy her (and yourself) some fire extinguishers

Just in case

[TexasBushwhacker]

16. A fire blanket would be easier for her to use

https://preparedhero.com/products/emergency-fire-blanket

[JoseBalow]

17. Not a bad idea

The problems seem to be kitchen related, but I'd get her one or two of those too. Better safe than sorry!

[TexasBushwhacker]

20. And they're reusable as long as they are still intact

You could even give her a demo!

[DURHAM D]

10. First step -

Beef up your smoke detectors.

Write a registered letter to the Board of Directors and Management. Also write the daughter. Express your concerns. Determine who owns the unit. If the woman is a tenant you can probably get her evicted via the Board.

Contact your own attorney to help with the problem. Make sure they know the difference between a condo and any other type of shared interest community.

Talk with your insurance agent about your HO6 and see if you need additional coverage.

ETA: Senior communities turn off the power source (gas or electric) to stoves all of the time. In fact, I have two aunts who lost their kitchen electricity for their stove and microwave because of small fires or tripping the breaker.

[MotownPgh]

13. Also consider

Many elderly are lonely. Many call 911 when they are lonely and she may be burning popcorn in a way on purpose. Still not safe, but pretty common especially since she is "with it" enough to call. Either way it needs to be addressed.

[NJCher]

15. this should be your objective (JMHO)

ETA: Senior communities turn off the power source (gas or electric) to stoves all of the time. In fact, I have two aunts who lost their kitchen electricity for their stove and microwave because of small fires or tripping the breaker.


When you contact the Office on Aging or whatever they call it in your state, see if you can get this done.

Also, you need to get your concerns in writing because there will be damages to collect if the daughter doesn't take care of your concerns. Make that clear in your letter, too. Send it certified.

[Mr.Bill]

18. 911 calls are a matter of public record.

They won't release them only when they are part of an ongoing investigation.

[Think. Again.]

19. Your county's Adult Protective Services will take 'anonymous' info from you...

...and they can then do a welfare check to assess the situation.

If you do call them, be sure to tell them that you believe she has a daughter living in the complex so that they can work with both mother and daughter, or any other family members, if need be.

They won't be looking to "put her away" or anything like that, but they do have support programs for the woman and her relatives that might be helpful to them.

Hopefully, your local APS agency is not overburdened already.

[XanaDUer2]

21. Terrifying nt