A couple hours later, around 8:30 a.m., McKibben said she was in a closet in her apartment, located on the third floor of building 380, cleaning up trash from the leaking ceiling.
“While picking up trash, the ceiling just collapsed and hit me in the back of my head and shoulders,” McKibben said.
McKibben declined hospital transport but went to Urgent Care, then to Fort Hamilton Hospital for X-rays on her neck, shoulders and back.
Rick Helsinger, City of Fairfield building superintendent, said a water pipe burst on top of the water heater, sending a steam up through the ceiling. A puddle was created, which collapsed the ceiling. The zoning department condemned the unit, he said.
“It’s not good living conditions where they sleep and everything,” he said, noting the “saturated” carpet and open access created to the attic area.
“The only reason the apartment was condemned was because there was too much water,” said property manager Tina Mueller. “The people were moved out of the apartment.”
Mueller said the family was moved into a unit across the hall, where electricity has already been turned on. “It’s been taken care of,” she said.
Damien McKibben, Larisa’s husband, said it was “by the grace of God” their three children, ages 14, 10 and 7 had just left for school about 10 minutes before the collapse. The complex is offering another unit to the family, but Damien McKibben said he is currently pursuing legal action.
The McKibbens join a host of others who have filed suits the complex, Eastgate Village LLC, is involved in. The company is the defendant in 20 open criminal cases stemming from zoning and code violations.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, although Glenn said a grill or similar appliance may have started the blaze.
Contact this reporter at (513) 483-5237 or kcano@coxohio.com.
About the Author