WSAZ Investigates | Marshall fraternity re-inspections delayed

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The re-inspections of at least some of the six properties where eviction notices were placed and then removed have been postponed.

Tuesday marks two weeks since dozens of students were evicted from six off-campus residents that failed fire safety inspections. Inspection reports detail numerous violations at each property, including broken fire alarms, missing fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors, and unsound structures.

The eviction notices were removed two days later when property owner Dennis Johnson changed the occupancy classification so that the state fire code no longer applied. That means the buildings now fall into the city’s jurisdiction.

Huntington Chief Building Inspector Todd Darst told WSAZ the re-inspections would take place Tuesday. However, Tuesday morning, WSAZ was told the re-inspections had been postponed until later this week.

WSAZ obtained previous inspection reports for the properties, which detail similar issues dating back to 2017, nearly a decade ago. In those reports, the inspectors demand a “plan of correction” within 10 days to address the issues.

WSAZ requested those plans of correction last week, and again Tuesday. They have not been provided.

Johnson has not responded to repeated requests for comment.