Former residents say they can’t retrieve belongings after Fort Valley apartment fire

Former tenants say they have not been allowed back inside the building following the August fire.

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A fire broke out at College Square Apartments in Fort Valley on August 12, 2025, according to former resident Joycelyn Wynn.

Since then, Wynn says she has not been allowed to go back inside the apartment to retrieve any salvageable items.

“I feel unheard because as a tenant I should be able to go in and at least get my personal belongings,” Wynn said.

Wynn says management at the complex told her mold and water damage are preventing access to the building, but she claims she has seen several people entering the property.

“Somebody else is already coming over there moving our things out as I saw yesterday,” she said. “In unmarked vehicles, no signage on the vehicles saying they are from a certain company. It’s just like personal vehicles. They over there doing some work.”

Wynn says all she wants is answers from the complex and to retrieve her personal belongings.

“This is the only way by me speaking to you that I seem like I’m being heard,” she said. “Somebody cares. And it’s awful.”

We also spoke with the granddaughter of another resident who did not want to be on camera. She says her grandmother has also not been allowed back inside her apartment to retrieve her belongings and that her grandmother’s checkbook was stolen, forcing her to close her bank account.

When 41NBC went to the leasing office looking for answers, no one answered the door. Moments later, a hand appeared and posted a sign stating all questions should be directed to Gateway Management Company.

We reached out to Gateway Management Company on Tuesday and have not received a response as of this report.

Check back for updates.