Residents forced from North Providence condo complex for ‘unsafe’ conditions

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Residents in one building of the Canterbury Condominium Complex were forced out of their homes Tuesday afternoon after fire officials deemed the conditions “unsafe.”

After a visit to the facility this week, the North Providence fire department cited a lack of heat, hot water, proper insulation, and even asbestos.

Mayor Charles Lombardi said severe damage to the building began in February when a pipe burst. He said Vista Management, the owner of many of the condominiums, did not properly fix the damage.

Residents of the 56-unit building were forced to leave the building by 3 pm.

“Doesn’t make sense to me,” said one resident.

Another resident of 20 years added, “I  made a lot of friends here, and now I have to say goodbye.”

The town gave the residents 24 hours to leave their condominiums. Mayor Lombardi and other town officials said they are helping those impacted. 

Lombardi finished, “I feel a lot better that I’m answering your questions today answering your questions today than tomorrow or the next day as to what took so long and someone lost their life.”

ABC 6 reached out to Vista Management and are waiting to hear back.