LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
Some of the 39 people displaced in a valley apartment fire last week claim they're getting unfair treatment.
The fire happened last Thursday at the Ashford Manor Apartment near Jones and Smoke Ranch, damaging 13 units.
It was ruled an accident after investigators say a discarded cigarette started the fire that then moved into the attic areas.
Many people lost everything, and some say they're still getting the run around.
Christopher Nino and Florencio Rivera haven't been able to get back in to see if anything is left.
The apartment manager says both the fire marshal and city building inspector said no one is allowed in the upstairs units because of safety concerns.
The friends were put in a smaller but updated apartment at the same cost.
But Nino says he's getting pressured to sign a lease.
The pair went to talk to the apartment manager and a friend secretly recorded the conversation.
When told by an employee translating what Nino said that he wanted to think about signing a new lease, the manager said on the tape, "OK, we'll go ahead and send a 30-day notice. That will get him thinking. If he's not happy, he can leave."
The manager would not go on camera but said the complex is going above and beyond to help people out and that only two of the 39 displaced tenants are raising a fuss.
The manager added the rents are fair and that they will let tenants into individual units when fire and city officials say it is safe.
But another displaced resident, who was moved to a new place on Tuesday, says the management is not acting with compassion.
"I mean they gave me a five-day notice the day I moved in here," said Tonya Dodge. "Because half of my money order was in my apartment. So I was like, 'You've got to give me a couple of weeks. We just lost everything down to our toothbrushes. At least give us a couple of weeks.'"
The apartment manager says only one of the displaced tenants had renter's insurance.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
FOX5 file
