Twelve families in North Vernon are homeless after multiple fire code violations at the apartment building where they lived forced its condemnation.

Sgt. Andrew Richmond, spokesman with the North Vernon Police Department, says that the incident began a few weeks ago when city Fire Chief Michael Cole followed up on several fire code complaints. Chief Cole found that those complaints were substantiated and forwarded them to the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office.

Sgt. Richmond says that on October 31st, investigators from the State Fire Marshals’ office made an on site investigation and found the aging apartment building, located at 7 North Madison Avenue, with enough gross violations that the building could no longer be used as a full-time residential structure. Richmond says that the state investigators’ office attempted to reach an amicable agreement with the building’s owner to allow residents to move out. However, he says that no agreement could be reached, forcing the building to be immediately condemned.

City officials say they have activated both city and community based resources, along with contacting the Red Cross, to assist these displaced families. North Vernon Mayor Michael Ochs said “My biggest concern is for the safety of the families that live in the city and prevent a possible tragedy.“

The specific fire code violations have not been released.