Tenants still homeless after last month's Beechwood Avenue fire are considering a lawsuit to recoup some of their losses.
Thirteen tenants said they've spent thousands of dollars decontaminating their apartments from the chemicals that burned in the hardware store March 16.
"We know pesticides and fertilizer and paint thinner. . . were all in the Home Hardware," said Leesa Sereda, who has left her apartment of seven years. "All those deposits of those things burning are in our belongings."
Sereda said she's spent almost $10,000 trying to clean her apartment.
Of those 13 tenants, only two have insurance.
"We're getting legal advice to see how we can obtain at least some compensation to cover us for our losses, whether we were insured or not," said Sereda. "We're losing and I don't think that's fair."
The landlord refused to comment on the potential lawsuit.
Businesses are also still affected, with ice cream shop Piccolo Grande losing business just as warm weather is arriving and the neighbouring clock repair shop likely having to relocate.
The landlord said she estimates people can return to their apartments by the end of August, some businesses in July and a full re-build will take about a year.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr.
