EL CAJON, Calif. (KGTV) — Some residents living at the Terraza Hills Apartments near El Cajon are frustrated following a fire that burned more than a dozen garages in the complex Thursday night.
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According to the San Diego Sheriff's Department, the fire was caused by a homeless woman living in one of those garages. The fire burned multiple cars and killed a dog.
"The homeless situation is terrible. They come up here and sleep in the garages," Cynthia Green, a resident at the apartment told ABC 10News. "I can't wait to get out of here."
14 garages in the complex on East Bradley Avenue were set on fire.
"I'm frustrated because they are not taking care of the property," Green added.
The sheriff's department arrested 43-year-old Mavis Williams this weekend. Detectives say she and other homeless people were living in the garage where the fire started.
"You have people living in your garages, yet you pay rent for this? And this is supposed to be acceptable?" resident Jacob Allison added. Allison lost a truck in the fire that he says he spent thousands of dollars refurbishing. He was planning to give it to his son when he reached driving age.
Now days after the fire, there's still a strong smell in the air and burnt cars are still in the garages.
ABC 10News spoke with a property manager from Swanson Real Estate Solutions, who manages the property. The manager declined an interview but said she has been trying to fix the problem. She filed for a protection order against Williams last month, which was granted. Still, the sheriff's department alleges she started the fire on Thursday.
"I've seen her for years now, like I thought she lived here," Allison said.
The property manager claims part of the issue is that tenants invite homeless people onto the property. She says people sneak in the back at night once she leaves for the day.
However, residents are hoping this fire will lead to some change at the complex.
"We don't feel safe," Green said. "Just fix the place. We're paying rent here."
