WSBtv.com
ATLANTA — When Atlanta firefighters arrive at a fire scene, they do more than put out the fire. They also call a private company to board up the property after a fire. The homeowner doesn’t choose the company, the fire department does.
Critics wonder whether Atlanta is playing favorites, with big insurance money at stake. Zahi Elias owns several rental properties. Last July, his tenant called to say his house in Atlanta was on fire.
When Elias arrived, a company called 1-800-BOARDUP was already on the scene, and the tenant had signed an agreement to let the company board up the house. “I said ‘No, this is my property, not the tenant’s property. I will board it.’ He wasn’t happy,” Elias said of the BoardUp representative. He called the two men with the company pushy.
Full story: 2 Investigates: Fire department ties with home restoration company