Pocono News Section

Port Carbon Family Has No Heat and Wants Help from Their Landlord

Port Carbon Family Has No Heat and Wants Help from Their Landlord - Friday, January 16, 2009 at 9:39PM EST

Port Carbon, Schuylkill County -

Howard and Denise Schwartz tell us their heat stopped working three days ago, just in time for sub-zero temperatures.

Howard Schwartz, who has no heat says, "You could tell right now you're in a cold place. (Reporter: Definitely.) I mean, yesterday it was two degrees. It has to stop somewhere along the line."

They say the gas heat is included in their rent, but this is the second winter they've had heating problems in their apartment building along North Street .

Denise Schwartz says, "This year, they were supposed to install a heating system, but it doesn't work half the time."

The Pottstown based management gave the Schwartz’s a space heater Thursday night and they have two others. But they're not getting the job done. Look at the thermostat for yourself, well below 50 degrees.

Howard adds, "We contacted management and they said they'd see what they could do about it. But it's an everyday thing. They say they'll fix it, and the next day, you don't see them at all."

The Schwartz’s and their daughters slept in layers last night. The couple slept out here in the living room and tried to stay warm next to this fireplace.

Denise adds, "You go to work the next day, you can't sleep the night before because you're up all night because it's freezing in here."

Eyewitness News called management and heard back within an hour. Kyla Campbell says, “We see our own breath in here, it's definitely cold. We didn't know what your situation was and how you're handling it."

They told us the part would be in Friday afternoon and said the Schwartz’s would have heat for the weekend. The Schwartz’s say they'll believe it when they feel it.

As of now, the Schwartz’s say no one has shown up to fix their heat and it hasn't kicked on. Again, management said it would be fixed around 2:30 this afternoon.