Safety concerns arise after fire at Tymber Skan apartments

Multiple units on fire, fire officials say

ORLANDO, Fla. – After a fire inside one of the vacant buildings at Tymber Skan in Orange County, News 6 is asking county officials about their planned demolition schedule. County officials said at this time, a completion date has not been set.

"The demise of Tymber Skan did not happen over night," said Orange County Commissioner Victoria Siplin.

Siplin said despite the building where the fire took place being vacant, there are people on the property who need to be kept safe.

"You still have residence that are living here, so you don't want anyone hurt. So, I don't think it's just resources being wasted. I really think that they are just doing their job," said Siplin.

The county said about 100 still live at the troubled complex, despite some units not having electricity or running water.

"We've been working diligently. You know, still trying to assist our folks that want to leave, that they can. There are resources out there, but this is a process," said Siplin.

Even in the occupied areas of Tymber Skan, trash is scene covering the parking lot.

Officials also said that crime runs rampant.

"High crime. We have deputies out here constantly because it's high crime, prostitution, so there's a lot of illegal activity," said Siplin.

News 6 asked the Orange County Sheriff's Office how many times deputies have been called to the complex in the past two months.  According to the calls for service report, deputies have been called out about 80 times in the past 60 days.

Siplin also said that the county has filed property liens against condo owners at Tymber Skan, in an attempt to recoup some of the money the county has spent.

Of the 41 remaining buildings, the county said that six are scheduled to be demolished in the next two months. Another two buildings are planned to be demolished by the end of September.

 


About the Authors:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.

Troy graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. He has reported on Mexican drug cartel violence on the El Paso/ Juarez border, nuclear testing facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory and severe Winter weather in Michigan.

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