'No insurance cover' building management tell Laois fire victims

Following the fire that blazed through a Portarlington apartment block on Thursday February 20, apartment owners and tenants have been told by building management that the loss of their belongings is not protected by insurance.

In an email seen by the Leinster Express / Laois Live, building management of the apartment blocks contacted owners and tenants advising for the clearance of personal belongings from apartments, under a strict appointment basis.

Residents were advised that insurance would not cover damaged goods.

"The builder will be erecting security fencing around the building," the email said.

Pictured: Some of the 60 residents left displaced and in emergency accommodation by the Portarlington fire

"For the safety of all concerned, access will not be allowed to the apartments until tomorrow Tuesday. To ensure security of the apartments and allow access, landlords are asked to provide the names of their tenants by email to us here at the office.

"We also ask that the tenants bring ID with them when they arrive at The Oaks or else you can accompany your tenant and vouch for them. Owner occupiers should likewise bring ID," the notice read.

WATCH : Laois fire victim residents in homeless limbo

"Going forward every effort will be made to facilitate the owners and tenants, however it is necessary that access will only be allowed by pre-arranged appointment as the apartments/buildings are a "building site".

"Concern has been expressed regarding security of apartments as works are being [carried] out, and it is advised and recommended that every apartment is cleared out in full of contents, valuables and personal belongings," the email said.

"There will be no heating or electricity in the buildings for the foreseeable future, while renovations are ongoing.

"Please remember that the block insurance policy does not cover the tenant's nor the owner's personal contents.

"As the mailboxes attached to the building will be within the perimeter of the fencing and therefore will not be accessible, the owners/tenants are advised to make alternative arrangements," the email finished.

Residents have been left distraught, currently living in emergency accommodation with the few personal belongings they could salvage from the scene of the fire.

Resident Paul Glynn told the Leinster Express / Laois Live on Monday that he and fellow residents were checked out of the Maldron at 11am, and were left stranded with nowhere to go.

As they stood in the lobby with their bags, it was over two hours later that a Laois County Council worker informed them that they would be moving to Abbeyleix Manor for two weeks. 

“From this morning we had to pay for food in the Maldron, I don’t have cash or my wallet. I don’t even have socks or underwear at the minute, we are all just standing here in complete shock,” Mr Glynn said.

“It’s like a horror movie here at the minute, I can tell it’s all about to kick off,” he said.

“Where do they want us to go?” Mr Glynn demanded.