Cleveland Fire aware of exit doors screwed shut during fire at Downtown Cleveland high-rise apartment

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Cleveland Fire Department is aware of exit doors screwed shut at The Luckman apartments during an early morning fire on April 10.

“Cleveland Firefighters broke those doors open to fight the fire that evening,” a spokesperson for CFD said. “Our Fire Marshal and Fire Prevention Bureau are taking action.”

Residents at The Luckman at E. 12th Street and Chester Avenue were evacuated due to a trash chute fire.

CFD said the building management has been cited for violations related to their findings from that fire.

“We are monitoring the repairs being made to the standpipe that failed that evening and will ensure that a safe remedy is put in place for the exit doors,” a spokesperson for CFD said.

The CFD spokesperson said they are told they would have choices including panic doors and magnetic doors that would release in the event of a fire.

19 News discovered the building was cited by the city’s division of code enforcement following the fire.

The violations included needed repairs for the elevator, stand pipe, and water damage.

Azure Property Management manages the building according a flier sent to residents obtained by 19 News.

Records from the Ohio Secretary of State show the company is based in Toronto.

19 News called and texted the property manager to ask about the exit doors.

When we get a response from them, we will update this story.

An email, obtained by 19 News, sent to residents after the fire did not mention anything about the exit doors, but the management said they are working on other repairs.

“Due to the incident from this morning the elevators are down and awaiting repair. The service elevator is currently working your convenience. We are working with contractors to have service restored promptly,” the email stated.

According to firefighters, damage is estimated at $450,000.

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