Cooper Apartments Tenants Sue After Fire Caused by Unqualified Electrician

Tenants of The Cooper Apartments File Lawsuit After Devastating Fire

Dozens of tenants who were displaced by a historic six-alarm fire near downtown Fort Worth have taken legal action, filing a lawsuit that claims the blaze was the result of "reckless and negligent actions." According to the tenants, the fire was caused by an unlicensed and unqualified technician performing high-voltage rooftop electrical work without supervision. This incident has left over 800 residents in a state of uncertainty and frustration.

Over the past month, many of these displaced tenants have voiced their dissatisfaction with the lack of communication and support from both the previous and current management companies. Some residents of Building 1, where the fire originated on the roof, have had their leases terminated due to structural damage and mold. As a result, they are now unable to enter the building to retrieve their belongings, as reported by RMP Living, the new management company that took over from Cushman and Wakefield following the June 23 fire.

Residents are not only dealing with the loss of their homes but also the emotional and financial toll of being cut off from their possessions. “What happened at The Cooper is unfathomable,” said Katie Steele, the attorney representing the tenants. “No one should lose their home due to negligence — and then be shut out from recovering what little remained. This is cruelty piled on top of catastrophe.”

The lawsuit, filed in Tarrant County district court, targets several entities, including The Cooper Fort Worth LLC, the property’s owner Lightbulb Capital Group, the previous management company Cushman and Wakefield, RMP Living, electrical contractor Cano Electric Inc., its owner Larry Cano, and Armando Rodelo, the electrician who worked on an HVAC unit and replaced a breaker on the day of the fire. The Star-Telegram is currently seeking comments from the defendants.

According to a press release from Varghese Summersett, the law firm representing the tenants, the plaintiffs allege that both the electrical contractor and Cushman & Wakefield failed to ensure that the electrical work was performed by a licensed and competent professional. They also ignored known safety risks and provided no on-site supervision.

Following the fire, management control shifted to RMP Living, which, according to the lawsuit, further harmed residents by blocking access to their belongings for weeks. The management company reportedly conditioned entry on signing sweeping legal waivers and ultimately refused access to Building 1 residents. Some tenants were forced to pay for third-party hazardous material remediation to recover what little property remained.

The plaintiffs are seeking over $1 million in damages, with the final amount to be determined by a jury. In addition to this, Steele is requesting a temporary restraining order to prevent the destruction of the apartment complex or any property inside, in order to preserve evidence.

“We have exhausted every avenue in our efforts to obtain answers from Lightbulb and RPM Living,” Steele stated. “Our calls for transparency have been met with silence. The time for avoiding accountability is over. We will see them in court.”

This legal battle highlights the broader issues of negligence, responsibility, and the need for accountability in the wake of such a tragic event. As the case moves forward, the tenants hope for justice and a resolution that addresses the harm caused by the fire and the subsequent mishandling of their situation.