ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A man is demanding answers from University City officials after his home was destroyed by a tree last Sunday.
The tree was on public property and LB Douglas and one of his neighbors said they reported the dead tree a few times to the city weeks before it fell but no one came out to inspect it.
According to a University City spokesperson, they’ve been proactive about removing trees that have been reported dead. In the last year, they told 5 On Your Side 297 trees had removed. However, when we asked if the tree that damaged Douglas’ house had been reported, City Manager, Gregory Rose, said the city is still trying to determine that.
Rose also said residents can report damage to property caused by city trees but as of May 29 he hadn't received any such reports for anyone.
Douglas said he filed his report right after it happened.
“It’s extremely upsetting because you just get the runaround,” he said.
Since his home and most of his belongings, including two cars, were destroyed on May 27, he and his children have been living in a hotel that his insurance company has been paying for. Douglas said he just wants to return to the home he has lived in for 26 years.
He’s still not sure how much it will cost to repair his home but he’s hoping his insurance and the city will cover the damage.
