Residents wait for burned Maumee apts. to be cleared - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

A Maumee apartment building is still standing one week after a massive fire, and residents living near the burned building want to know when it's coming down.

It remains roped off, and a security guard is keeping watch, but some residents are wondering what's taking so long to clear the charred building.

One week ago, a massive fire consumed the 8-unit Quail Ridge Apartments building, displacing 13 people. The building is still standing, though not by much.

"I don't know if they're waiting for people's possessions or what, but they need to come in and get rid of what's left of it," says Quail Ridge resident Jason Obee. "It's an eyesore for the public, and I think that, with having kids around here, it's a lot of scrap metal. People steal scrap metal, and the security probably doesn't see everything."

The damaged building is being watched by a security guard at all times.

Still, residents want to know when the mess will be cleared.

"You can tell that there's more bricks, there's more stuff falling off the building. It's good that they have somebody here watching the place," says Brian Furlong. "Supposed to rain tomorrow, hopefully this just doesn't fall in on itself."

Gary Binkley was one of several left homeless by the fire. Now living in Oak Harbor, he believes the holdup is in the logistics. He says he heard from management on Friday.

"They are going to see if their insurance company will let us go in before they tear it down or after they tear it down," he says. "If they do, we have to sign a waiver so that they're not responsible for us getting hurt."

The displaced residents have been told that demolition is tentatively set for Wednesday.

Officials say the fire began outside in the mulch before it spread, but the cause is still under investigation. 

Representatives for Quail Ridge Apartments were unavailable for comment.