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130+ Seniors Displaced By Fire Struggle To Find Housing

LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4)- The investigation into what caused a fire at a senior living facility that displaced more than 130 people continued Friday as seniors struggle to find new places to live.

Just a little more than two weeks after the fire at the Southview Place Towers in Littleton tenants are facing a deadline to move out.

On Saturday tenants on the third and fourth floors will receive help from volunteers as they move their belongings. On Friday, 50 volunteers helped tenants move out. All the people living in the complex have until next week to remove everything they own and move on.

LITTLETON APARTMENT FIRE
(credit: Littleton Police)

Fire investigators confirmed the fire started on the fourth floor in unit 465 but haven't determined what caused the fire.

"There's smoke in the walls and it does smell horrible in there," said resident Elvessia Wing.

Wing had been living in a second floor apartment with her 84-year-old mother. Both have health issues. They have a place to stay at an assisted living facility in Denver, but only until next week.

"American Red Cross has been helping us, Love Inc. and the churches," said Wing.

The seniors were told they had to move out so the renovation process can begin with no physical obstruction to the elevators.

"I hope the public will think about what's happening here because I don't know if they're doing justice to us or not, by making us leave," said Wing.

LITTLETON APARTMENT FIRE (3)
(credit: CBS)

"I got up this morning and said, 'This chapter is ending and I've got a new chapter going and God's in control, I'm not,'" said displaced resident Mary Aultman.

Aultman had lived in the complex for nearly 15 years.

Southview Place Towers has promised to return deposits to all seniors. The owners gave them an extra $500 and provided some moving help. The complex says they need at least six months to do repairs before they say they will return as senior housing. It's housing the seniors hope they will still be able to afford.

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