The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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February 23, 2009

Displaced tenants getting help

By Brian Ojanpa

MONTGOMERY — Ray Kotasek is the type of guy who can find dark humor in a bleak situation.

“I tell people I’m living under a bridge in Mankato,” said the Montgomery resident who was among 43 tenants made homeless Saturday by a fire at Park Manor Apartments, a facility for low-income people.

The fire of yet-unknown origin started on the second floor of the 41-unit two-story building, destroying 15 units and making the others uninhabitable.

Park Manor, city-owned and partly federally funded, is the only income-based housing complex in the Le Sueur County town of 3,200 residents.

On Monday, the displaced residents gathered at Montgomery City Hall to hear of the various services available and the long-term plans for their housing in the community.

“We’ll do whatever we can to help you guys find immediate housing,” said Rick Lea, board chairman of the Montgomery Housing and Redevelopment Authority.

“We hope to rebuild, and it’s going to take six months to one year. But quite frankly, if we’re up and running by the end of the year, it will be a blessing.”

Virtually all the tenants found lodging with friends and relatives. Red Cross and Salvation Army representatives at the meeting informed tenants of short-term hotel lodging and personal need (food, bedding, clothing) availabilities.

Tenants also were informed of other public-housing possibilities in area towns.

Fire and police personnel have been escorting tenants into the building to claim personal effects.

“I was in there yesterday, and it made me sick,” said Kotasek, a six-year resident of Park Manor who is staying with his son.

“I lost everything, but I got my guns and my knife collection out of there, and I got a few pairs of pants that I’ve washed a few times. They’re still kind of smoky.”

Coincidentally, tenants 10 days ago underwent a fire drill involving firefighters and the city ambulance service.

Montgomery City Administrator Steve Helget said official response protocol has been similar to that of a tornado strike.

“These people have been pretty traumatized. Some of these people are hesitant to even come forward and ask for assistance,” Helget said.

Among those struggling with their loss is 95-year-old Georgianna Edel, the building’s oldest resident.

She’s lived there 24 years, has 73 grandchildren, and fought back tears as she recounted the chaos of the late afternoon fire.

“It went down quick,” she said. “One of the (firemen) knocked on the door and said, ‘C’mon, you’re got to get out of here.’ You should have seen the flames, how high they were.”

Latest updates on relief efforts will be posted on the city’s Web site and on the city’s information line, 507-364-5666.

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