PORTLAND, Maine - In the aftermath of last Saturday's deadly fire in Portland that killed six young people, the city of Portland today announced that it's establishing a task force to review fire and code inspection policies in the city.
Mayor Michael Brennan told reporters this afternoon that, for the past 10 years, the city has had a complaint-driven inspections system and probably will for the near future.
"But the purpose of this task force is to see how we can get to the tipping point, make a transition," Brennan said. "Itwill still be complaint driven in some way, but that we will clearly be more proactive in how we address these issues."
The city released an inspection report today that indicates the city had received a number of complaints over the past decade about the Noyes Street property destroyed in the fire, many involving trash and rodents.
One of the complaints involved concern about a possible illegal unit on the third floor, The Associated Press reports.
A 2012 complaint says owner Greg Nesbit added a new dwelling unit on the third floor, where three bodies were found in a bedroom. The building was permitted for two units.
Nesbit didn't immediately return a phone call from the AP seeking comment.
The Nov. 1 fire killed Nicole Finlay, David Bragdon Jr., Ashley Thomas, Christopher Conlee, Maelisha Jackson and Steven Summers.
This story contains material copyright The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
