First, they were told to vacate the apartment in 60 days. Then a fire breaks out that was possibly intentionally set.
Residents in the Darlington Apartments in Buckhead are dealing with both of those things right now.
The complex holds more than 600 apartments. It’s known as one of the only affordable apartments complexes in Buckhead, with rents under 800 a month. Residents say the new owners want to rehab it and raise the rent - which leaves many without an idea of where they’re going to go.
“We’ve all got to find a place to go," said Andrew Nelson who lives there.
A week ago, he said he received a letter saying he and everyone else in the complex had to move out.
“They’re going to have to shut the water off in order to replumb the place," he said.
Residents say the owners of the building will renovate the apartments and raise the rent. But, many of the people in the Darlington live on low or fixed income.
Authorities are investigating two fires. One of them was on the floor where Nelson lives.
“When I saw white smoke filling my hallway, I knew I had to get out of there. I banged on my neighbor’s door and said 'There is a fire dude.'”
Nelson, his cat, and everyone else escaped unharmed. He's worried someone will do it again.
“I would imagine that it’s a resident that is upset that he has to relocate or she has to relocate.”
Atlanta Fire confirmed they have an arson investigator actively investigating graffiti that was put on the wall at the apartment complex. There was a small fire Thursday night in a trash shoot and another small fire earlier this week.
If you look in the elevator of the Darlington, graffiti says 'this [expletive] will burn.
“I started to cry because this place is my home and someone wants to burn down my home," Nelson said.
The building owners haven’t responded to requests for comments so far. No arrests have been made in the arson investigation.
