Action News Jax Investigates: Apartment building in New Town condemned after roof collapse

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax is getting answers from a landlord after the roof of a New Town apartment building collapsed. Neighbors say they haven’t heard from the landlord in a few days.

“My home, I don’t know what to do. It’s a struggle,” Jamese McKennon said.

McKennon, who used to live in the now-condemned building, is frustrated.

“He’s a slamlord,” she said.

McKennon was inside when the roof collapsed Wednesday.

“And then a man was hammering, nails popping, then it crashed in,” she said.

Sky Action News Jax showed the look above at the aftermath of the repair work that likely played a part in the collapse. McKennon said the roof caved in Wednesday morning, but the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department wasn’t called until Friday.

“It’s like he don’t care,” she said.

After looking for him since Friday, the landlord, Mark Riechmann, finally called Action News Jax back late Monday afternoon.

When asked who he called after the roof collapsed, his response was, “Well, I called a structural engineer.”

That engineer showed up two days later. During that time, neighbors said Riechmann just let them keep living there; they were just told to move downstairs.

When we asked him if he thought it was safe for them to stay there, his response, “Well I really don’t know. There was electricity and running water.”

Riechmann said he placed the two families in other buildings he owns.

The building is scheduled to be demolished next week.

Cox Media Group