Broken Elevator Traps Some Sunrise Condo Residents

SUNRISE (CBS4) - Residents of a Sunrise high rise feel like they are being held prisoner in their own building after the elevator quit working nearly a week ago.

"I can't move this leg," explained 93-year old Gert Floren as she slow climbed down the stairs from her third floor apartment.

For the past week she and her neighbors in Building 154 at Sunrise Lakes Condos, at 9850 Sunrise Lakes Boulevard, have had to use the stairs because the elevator is not working.

"I feel trapped," said Floren. "If there's, God forbid, a fire or anything else, how can I get out? By the time I get out, I'd be burned to death.

Floren, who uses a walker, can only make it up or down the stairs when someone is there to help her. She tried to do it by herself on Tuesday but quickly and ran into trouble.

"I attempted to do it myself, but truthfully speaking, I almost killed myself," she said. "The walker opened up and I was in the middle of the staircase."

Luckily, a neighbor spotted her just in time to help her out. Others here aren't so lucky, they're trapped on the upper floors and even if they can make it down the stairs, they're still in trouble.

"You can't go grocery shopping," complained Sylvia Fox, "because you can't take the stuff up."

Residents of the building say repair crews have been by several times to work on the elevator.

They were there while CBS4's Ted Scouten was interviewing Floren, but left when a resident pointed out CBS4 was doing a story.

"I said 'Are you the elevator people' and he said, 'Yes we are'. I then said 'Oh good because I contacted Channel 4 news' and he said, 'Oh you did then we're not fixing the elevator' and they packed up and left," explained resident Carol DeSensi.

No one in the condo's office were will to speak with Scouten on camera but did said legal and permitting problems have been the hold up. They're hoping to have the elevator running in the next day or two.

"I want the elevator fixed," demanded Floren.

For her and the rest, the sooner the better.