Pine Manor closed during construction

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A no trespassing sign will remain at Pine Manor Apartments in West Lafayette until work crews are finished with repairs. Management at the complex has yet to say when residents will be able to return.

The third time the building caught on fire it left residents out in the cold around Thanksgiving. Sue Wilder is the Assistant Dean of Technology and Fiscal Means at Purdue. She said the community stepped in to help find people housing during the holiday weekend.

"It was very difficult because everything was closed for Thanksgiving," said Wilder.

Wilder said the displaced residents are eager to return to some normality and most have already found new permanent housing.

"Some of them are continuing with temporary housing till the end of the semester. Some of them are in Purdue Village. Some of them have found leases at other apartment complexes where they can stay on a long term basis. Others are working with insurance companies to get a resolution with those issues," said Wilder.

Wilder said at the end of the semester students need to transition into a new lease or contract with campus housing. Chris Brady is the Emergency Service Director with the Tippecanoe County Red Cross. She said the chapter usually sees and increase of fires in the Winter but not three fires at the same location. Brady said she is still working with 15 families from Pine Manor. She said the Red Cross will continue to assist.

"We will help until we feel, we've talked to the clients and all their needs have been met. We ask them that if you need anything else call us. We can always refer them," said Brady. 

The West Lafayette Fire Department concluded that the first two fires started as a kitchen grease fire. The third was caused by lightning.