Cooper Tenants Frustrated by Silence After Fort Worth Fire

Community Comes Together After Devastating Fire

Residents of the Cooper apartments, who were displaced after a fire swept through their building, recently organized a town hall meeting to share information and connect with others who had gone through similar traumatic experiences. The event was held in the Near Southside neighborhood, where the community came together to support those affected. Local businesses such as HopFusion Ale Works, Bodega South, Panther City BBQ, Bocca Osteria Romana, Ostara Coffee Roasters, and Coco Shrimp provided food and drinks, showing their solidarity with the displaced tenants.

Sharing Experiences and Frustrations

During the town hall, displaced tenants shared their personal stories about the day of the fire and expressed frustration over the slow progress in receiving answers and assistance. Many emphasized the need for closure so they could begin the healing process. They also voiced concerns about retrieving their belongings before further damage occurred and wanted clarity on what caused the fire.

Lauren Garcia, who organized the town hall and a subsequent protest, highlighted the importance of standing up for tenant rights. She said, "It's not a one-size-fits-all situation for everybody's loss that we're going through. Everyone is different. Some people lost everything, their pets, some people made it out okay, but at the end of the day, we still don't have access to our safe space, and that's our home."

Renter’s Insurance Concerns

Nicole Surrey, a tenant who had only moved into her Building 1 unit six weeks before the fire, described her experience during the incident. She was in the shower when the fire started and didn’t hear the alarm until she saw fire trucks outside. She noted that the fire alarm in her unit never went off, which left her in a dangerous situation. Surrey also shared her frustration with how the management presented renter’s insurance to tenants. She explained that the “rent insurance” offered by Cushman and Wakefield only covered property damage caused by tenants or their guests, not personal property damage due to fires or other incidents.

Surrey, who has prior work experience as a licensed property and casualty insurance agent, emphasized the importance of understanding lease agreements and insurance policies. She criticized the lack of transparency from the management company, stating, "In my opinion, gross negligence and misleading behavior are really problematic, because they are leasing agents."

Cushman and Wakefield did not provide a detailed response, stating only that safety and security are their top priorities.

City Council Engagement

Fort Worth City Council member Elizabeth Beck expressed her sympathy for the residents and shared an email from Ramsey Soliman, a senior leader at Lightbulb Capital Group, which owns the Cooper apartments. This marked the first time the owners had communicated directly with the tenants, although the city and organizations had been reaching out since the fire.

The email mentioned ongoing investigations and efforts to allow residents to access their belongings safely. It also stated that lease agreements would be terminated, and tenants would receive checks for any prepaid rent and security deposits. However, many residents remain frustrated with the slow communication and lack of updates.

Calls for Transparency and Accountability

Garcia and other tenants emphasized the need for immediate and transparent communication from the management company and owners. She stressed that in such situations, management should have over-communicated with tenants instead of waiting for pressure from residents.

Some tenants reported receiving checks from Cushman & Wakefield but are still waiting for more information about moving out. Daisy Chukwu, another tenant, described the emotional toll of the experience and the need for the Cooper complex to return her belongings.

Legal representatives Kaleb Godwin and Katie Steel attended the town hall to provide advice and guidance to tenants on next steps. The Red Cross also participated, offering resources such as comfort kits, referrals, medical equipment, spiritual care, and mental health services.

Ongoing Questions and Unanswered Issues

Despite these efforts, many questions remain unanswered. Tenants want to know the role of HVAC maintenance in the fire, what Cushman & Wakefield knew about maintenance concerns, and when they became aware of them. They also seek more information from the owner, Jay Schuminsky.

The Star-Telegram has reached out to Lightbulb Capital Group, but no response has been received. As the community continues to seek clarity and support, the need for accountability and transparency remains urgent.