For the second time in two days, fire fighters were called to the 19th floor of the Enclave Apartments in White Oak Tuesday, according to Councilmember Kristen Mink.
On Tuesday night, some residents were evacuated, and one was transported to the hospital with minor injuries, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS). Some residents had to find other places to stay overnight.
Residents have staged several rallies at the complex on Oak Leaf Drive to complain about poor living conditions, including bug and rodent infestations, non-working elevators and homeless people living in the hallways.
Mink noted earlier that the county spends a “disproportionate amount of county resources just to come here and leverage citations against this building.”
On Tuesday, the 19th floor and part of the 20th floor had “significant smoke,” according to a post on the social media platform X by MCFRS. Crews worked to evacuate residents and ventilate the area.
Mink praised fire and rescue personnel and Montgomery County police for their “quick work.” But she criticized conditions at the building on X, saying residents didn’t immediately evacuate because there have been so many false alarms.
“Working cameras, adequate security and other improvements” that would improve living conditions at the Enclave have not happened, she posted.
“Residents have the right to be safe in their own homes. This is not what safety looks like,” Mink wrote. She questioned, “Why was there a fire in the same place one was extinguished yesterday? Investigation is underway.”
On Facebook Tuesday night, Mink wrote, “I am truly appalled by what I and my team witnessed and experienced from the building’s management. I didn’t know anything coming out of this building could shock me anymore, but tonight left me floored.”
My team and I have been on site at the Enclave Apts as residents were evacuated and the fire was extinguished. Huge thanks for the quick work of MCFRS, EMS, and MCPD.
Two notes: I have previously expressed concerns to the Enclave that the frequent false alarms🧵 https://t.co/AuOKszxmAw pic.twitter.com/MKKHu0MRXR
— Councilmember Kristin Mink (@CMKristinMink) April 23, 2024
