Some residents of Homewood retirement home that caught fire 3 months ago still without belongings

HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WBRC) - WBRC is checking on the status of a Homewood retirement home that caught fire in November and looking into the impacts that linger for the people who once called the building home.

Skyline Village says a faulty air conditioning unit started the fire.

Management tells WBRC they have begun the necessary repairs, but they are still a “few months out” from reopening.

“All of a sudden it sparks and it actually blows the heater out of the window and catches my curtains on fire,” said Lorna Adkins, who still vividly remembers the night her room caught fire.

Adkins lived on the third floor and was sitting in her room eating potato chips when her heater malfunctioned.

Her room filled with thick, black smoke. She escaped with her nightgown, slippers, and her life. She said her neighbor, Sandy, pulled her out of the room.

“Thank God,” Adkins said. “I’m blessed; that’s the reason on Facebook I thanked Sandy publicly.”

Around 90 people were forced to evacuate. The facility was left with damage and no power.

Many residents have since moved to other facilities.

Adkins’ loved ones were able to recover her purse, medicine, family photos, and her dog’s ashes, but she said others were not as lucky.

“I just feel so bad that some of the people haven’t got a thing,” Adkins said.

While Skyline Village did put out updates after the fire, Adkins said her calls go unanswered.

The Executive Director of Skyline Village tells WBRC they have remained in close contact with the residents and continue to provide updates by phone and some staff have even visited residents.

Keep in mind, many of the residents have mobility issues.

“It’s been awful,” said Ann Sharritt.

Sharritt tells WBRC that a maintenance man was able to get both her husband and her son’s ashes, but she is still without her furniture.

Sandi Clemons said everything she owns, except some medicine and clothes, is still stuck on the seventh floor.

“And the most important thing for me is my family pictures,” said Clemons. “I want my family pictures more than anything.”

Her brother, George Harding, tells WBRC this whole situation has created emotional and financial stress.

“Why did it get to this?” Harding said. “Why did it get to us having to come to the media to talk about this situation without reaching out to these residents and taking care of the problem and nipping it in the bud?”

The residents WBRC spoke with said they are now staying at the nearby Elite nursing home, are having a great experience, and do not plan to return to Skyline Village.

Skyline Village tells me they are happy to retrieve items for residents upon request. They have also partnered with a local moving company to offer discounted rates.

The business’ full statement, and contacts for assistance, can be found below:

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