Cape apartments damaged in fire to be rebuilt, owner says

Lynwood Hills Apartments owner Mike Smith said the apartments damaged in a June 21 fire should be rebuilt within three months.

The apartment complex was declared dangerous and condemned June 21 by the city of Cape Girardeau because of the damage, said Nicolette Brennan, spokeswoman for the city of Cape Girardeau.

When a building is determined to no longer meet safety codes, a notice of condemnation is sent to the property owner. The owner then has 30 days to either begin repairs to bring the building up to code or demolish the building. If neither is done, the city orders the building's demolition. Despite a legal notice published Tuesday saying the property had been condemned, Smith is pursuing repairs, so the four month-plus process of ordering demolition doesn't apply, Brennan said.

Damage from the fire was estimated at $300,000, according to the Cape Girardeau Fire Department report. No one was injured. The fire was determined to have been started by smoldering material that wasn't properly disposed of, Cape Girardeau Fire Department battalion chief Mark Starnes said.

Firefighters from Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City responded to the fire, which began shortly before 9 a.m. on the balcony of a second-floor apartment.

"There are at least two apartments that have to be completely gutted and rebuilt. We're looking at over $100,000 for just those two," Smith said.

Smith said he is working with contractors and his insurance company and is removing damaged material and gutting heavily damaged units.

Smith said residents of the damaged apartments were relocated the day of the fire to empty units.

rovermann@semissourian.com

Pertinent Address:

2764 Lynwood Hills Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO