Urgent: Fort Worth Fire Victim Reports Stolen Belongings

UPDATE: A resident of The Cooper apartment complex in Fort Worth, Texas, has reported that critical belongings were stolen following a devastating fire that occurred on June 23, 2023. As the deadline for retrieving remaining items approaches, tensions are escalating among residents desperate to recover their possessions.

Residents impacted by the fire continue to face obstacles in reclaiming their belongings. The urgency is palpable as Wednesday marks the deadline for residents to sign a waiver releasing a construction company from liability for any potential damage during the retrieval process. Christina Engel, a resident and mother of military sons, expressed her fears that signing the waiver could compromise her chances of recovering irreplaceable mementos.

“I couldn’t tell you which container is which. It would be easier for me to go in. Let me go in,” Engel stated, emphasizing the emotional stakes involved. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Engel and others whose apartments were reportedly undamaged are still fighting for access to their homes.

Engel recounted the terrifying moments when the fire alarm blared, forcing her to evacuate her apartment. “I work remote. I was in my apartment when the smoke alarms started going off,” she recalled. Now, months later, she is frustrated by the lack of progress in retrieving her belongings.

In a desperate bid for answers, Engel hired a drone operator to capture footage of her apartment. “Every day I open my blinds. I just want to see inside,” she said. However, when the drone operator captured images, Engel discovered that her blinds had been closed, adding to her anxiety.

Taking matters into her own hands, Engel ventured into the building at night to document the condition of her apartment. “My entire apartment is intact. There’s no water damage, no smoke damage,” she reported, only to discover that her safe containing sensitive items—including her gun and personal documents—had been stolen. “What happens if my gun is used in a crime?” she questioned, highlighting the serious implications of her belongings being missing.

In a deeply emotional moment, Engel recounted the significance of what was lost. “I have things in there for my two sons, both military officers. Their pictures and accomplishments—things that no money can replace,” she said, visibly shaken.

The owner of The Cooper, RPM Living, has not responded to inquiries from local media regarding the situation or the missing items. Furthermore, residents have yet to receive a report from a mold consultant, raising additional concerns about the property’s management.

As residents continue to grapple with the aftermath of the fire and the complexities of retrieving their belongings, the community remains on edge. The situation is developing, and residents are urged to stay vigilant as they seek justice and recovery of their precious items.

Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent situation.