Heat Roasting Downtown Apartment Complex

Memphis, Tn - Tenants describe the building as a heat box, and with temperatures continuing at the triple digit mark, those living in the building with health problems fear the worst.

A visibly exhausted Dollie Hearn sat in her recliner on Saturday, hoping for a cool breeze from her box fan in her small "heated" apartment.

“It’s hot. You stay in there for a while, you’ll go to sweating, you’ll feel faint, your head will start to hurt,” she said.

Hearn, who lives in the exchange building apartments downtown, says the air conditioning hasn't worked properly in months. We're told at least 25 of the 200 units are without air.

When she can no longer stomach the heat inside her apartment, she sits in the downstairs lobby where it's cool. She says she's complained to management, and isn’t the only tenant to do so.

Property records show there have been at least 18 different real estate transactions since 1987. Some include quit claims and transfers. A leasing manager Saturday would not go on camera, only saying they're attempting to fix the AC problem.

Ms. Dollie lives alone and fears the worst, “back in February I had a light stroke and every time I get overheated, I have to wash in some cold water to keep from fainting…we need somebody to stand up for us.”