Devastated and unsure what to do, Latessa Welch and her children try to salvage anything they can from their damaged apartment.
“We’re not allowed to go in the building, so to try to get what we need is kind of difficult,” said Welch. She is among the 50 people displaced after a fire tore through a building at the Adair Place Apartments on Keller Way Drive in Goldsboro Sunday afternoon.
According to a City of Goldsboro spokesperson, firefighters had to rescue multiple residents from upper floors. Four people were sent to the hospital. Investigators on Monday ruled the fire as an accident.
“We lost everything. The only thing we have is the clothes that we have on,” said Welch.
The newly constructed complex opened in 2021 and is an affordable rental community targeted to families earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income, according to the Raleigh-based Community Affordable Housing Equity Corporation.
Welch and others say not only did the fire take away their belongings, but also the ability to live in a similar complex close by at an affordable price.
“I do feel like it’s going to be difficult to find a place at the price of what we were paying here,” said Welch. “Everybody needs a place to stay as of right now…if we have to venture out a little further, but still have to come on this side for kids’ school and everything like that, yeah, that’ll be a challenge.”
Displaced resident Dishanda Weeks said finding a nearby and affordable options is not only challenging but can often come with a long wait.
“Places like this that are affordable for some people, once you get in them, you try to be here as long as possible. Once they fill up, that’s it. You’re on a wait list for a while,” said Weeks.
The Red Cross and local group groups have stepped in to support those displaced.
“We have some people that are donating to us and everything like that, but school clothes, book bags, shoes, food, we need a little bit of everything right now,” said Welch.
The resident of one year was able to retrieve some of her belongings. It’s a small step in what she believes will be a big challenge after the destructive fire.
