Seniors still can't return to living facility 2 months after evacuation

MINT HILL, N.C. — Dozens of senior citizens were evacuated from Mint Hill Senior Living on Lawyers Glen Drive in Mint Hill in June.

Two months later, the residents still cannot return.

Channel 9 was there during the mandatory evacuation that was ordered by the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshall's Office.

One senior told Channel 9 he didn't know where he was going or why.

"I don't know nothing about that cause they don't talk to us, so I don't know nothing about that," said Curtis McElwain, one of the seniors evacuated.

Some family members said in June they were also kept in the dark. They showed Channel 9 a post on Facebook which said the center was being remodeled and residents would be hosted at a few sister communities for a special Senior Summer Camp.

They said staff also mentioned repairing the sprinklers, but they didn't know anything about the failed fire inspection report that led to the evacuation.

Channel 9 tracked down the report dated June 21 2019.  It showed multiple fire door deficiencies and serious deficiencies in the fire sprinkler system that dated all the way back to April 4th 2018.

The reporter said "Management has not taken sufficient steps to mitigate these deficiencies, thus this fire protection system may not perform as designed in case of fire."

In a statement sent to Channel 9, the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshall's Office said the facility was ordered to relocate residents by July 1, 2019. To protect residents until that date, a 24/7 fire watch was put in place. They said personnel dedicated around the clock to conduct facility walk-throughs as a step toward shoring up fire suppression systems.

However, on June 21, the fire suppression systems failed completely and the office ordered the facility to evacuate asap. They said the evacuation took time due to the special needs of the patients.

On the phone a family member, who asked Channel 9 to hide her identity, said she had no idea about the safety issues.

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"It makes you wonder what else has been going on," the woman said.

Managers at Mint Hill Senior Living sent the following statement after Channel 9 contacted them:

"As part of Mint Hill Senior Living's ongoing commitment to providing high-quality care and safety for its residents, we are in the process of remodeling our community and updating our fire systems.  In order to maintain resident safety and comfort during this short period, we are temporarily relocating our residents to sister communities in the area who are hosting them as part of a Senior Summer Camp, ensuring the high quality of life they've become accustomed to at Mint Hill Senior Living is maintained.  Families have been involved in this process and have given written authorization for their loved ones to visit other communities while this remodel is taking place.  Additional team members are in place to make the transition for residents and families as seamless as possible. We will be sharing stories from our residents during their Summer Camp experience on Mint Hill Senior Living's Facebook Page, to keep the Mint Hill community connected with our residents while they are away."

Channel 9 also searched through state inspection reports from the Department of Health and Human Services. One report dated, September 6, 2017, said "the building sprinkler system was not maintained in a safe and operating condition. It said "This could affect all residents, staff and visitors if some/fire is not contained in the room or compartment of origin."

The state said it recently downgraded the facility's license to ‘provisional' due to violations outlined by the Mecklenburg County Fire Marshall's Office.

Cox Media Group