HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Sylvia Burris recently got married, but she called it bittersweet after what she’s been through, with her condo one of six that were destroyed in an April 18 fire in the Pine Cone Harbour condo community in Hampton.
That day 12 condominiums were damaged, and six of them were destroyed. One of the destroyed condos belonged to Sylvia Burris, and photos showed what little is left of Burris’ condo.
She also just got married Saturday to Steven Burris. She called it bittersweet after what she’s been through since April 18.
Making matters worse for her, she claims the Homeowners Association has told the owners impacted they will continue paying the homeowners association fee of about $580 per month, which includes a special assessment fee previously set up.
“We, don’t understand how we are still responsible for paying fees that only deal with the amenities that come with owning the property,” Steven Burris said. “The property no longer exists. We aren’t sure how it’s legal.”
Sylvia Burris said she found out about it at a HOA meeting following the fire, and she and her new husband think it is an insult to injury.
“It was my home for 16-and-a-half years, and it was destroyed in a fire,” Sylvia Burris said. “All my life savings, all my belongings, everything I worked so hard for, are gone. Most of my neighbors in that building lost everything too. They are completely displaced, and I can’t believe the HOA is insisting we continue paying.
The condos also will not be rebuilt for 12 to 18 months.
Burris gave us pictures of her condo, but insists, “I still haven’t looked at the pictures. I don’t have the mental fortitude to look at them yet.”
Everything they are being told is coming from the HOA President Michael Pascucci.
10 On Your Side called him and spoke with his wife, who said he wasn’t available. The HOA attorney also did not return our call.
This is personal for Sylvia Burris.
“I want to advocate for my neighbors,” she said. “I know I’m a military veteran. Steve is a military veteran. There’s a military veteran that lived beside me. He had a service dog that died in the fire.”
She blames the Homeowner’s Association.
“They did convey empathy, obviously, and that there were some positive vibes that they’re going to rebuild, and the community is going to be bigger and better,” she said.
But then came the word about the condo fees.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Sylvia Burris said.
They even searched the HOA bylaws and said they found nothing.
“We did not see anything in there where it says or states in black and white that the homeowners will be responsible for these payments in a situation like this,” Steven Burris said, “and we’re being told, basically, we just got to take these guys’ words for it and leave it at that. …
“We called you to put light on the situation because it’s the homeowner association. If they are going to pull one over on all the homeowners here, this needs to be brought to attention, because to me, it doesn’t sound legal.”
Said Sylvia Burris: “It affected me greatly. You know, just sleepless nights. I lost my sister to cancer two years ago. So, her clothing, her memorabilia, all of that was destroyed in the fire.”
Not all is lost.
Sylvia and Steven Burris still have each other, that beautiful wedding which puts light at the end of the tunnel.
“It has certainly been a very challenging time, but we did go forward with our wedding day,” Sylvia Burris said, “and I’m looking forward to a new chapter, starting a new chapter of life together.”
