HARTFORD--Less than 10 percent of Hartford’s buildings were inspected by the city’s Fire Marshal and his staff last year, which is a violation of state statute.
Through a Freedom of Information request, Fox CT learned that the Fire Marshal’s office was required to inspect approximately 9,600 buildings last year, but only 744 actually were.
“That's very bad,” Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal Roger Martin said.
Fox CT uncovered the story when it obtained a letter emailed to Hartford Fire Chief Carlos Huertas from Deputy Chief Martin in December. According to Martin, he had originally sent the letter to Huertas in April 2014. The letter stated that a mother and daughter died in a fire in the city’s North End last winter, and that their apartment complex had not been inspected by the Fire Marshal’s office “as prescribed by law.”
The letter clarified that fire safety violations were found in the Bedford Street apartment building but those violations had “no bearing” on the family’s “death or escape.”
“Therefore, it is now my solemn duty and responsibility to inform you that at these current staffing levels, resistance to the proposed Ordinances by other entities, and the increased workload and demand on my staff, I cannot, nor will not, fulfill my statutory requirements and thus placing the City of Hartford and its residents in a situation where Life Safety is compromised, quality of life is decreased, customer service is diminishing, increased potential of incendiary fires, and the likelihood of a substantial lawsuit and judgment against the City is established,” Martin wrote.
When Fox CT reached out to Martin he said that his staff consisted of only six individuals for thousands of inspections and other responsibilities, such as the approval construction and liquor licenses.
"There's 13,000 activities annually for at least six people. It doesn't get done,” Martin said.
Kyle Anderson, a city councilman and the chair of the city’s Public Safety Committee, said he was not aware of the issue when Fox CT brought it to his attention.
"From my understanding, this is something that predates me in this office and it was not addressed. I don't know why, don't want to point fingers, but since I know about it now my oath of obligation to the city of Hartford, I have to stand up and do what I can do for it,” Anderson said.
Martin said he fears that the poor rate of inspection could result in a liability for the city.
