By Mark Douglas

March 13, 2015

Senior citizens who live on the two upper floors of building 71 at On Top of the World condominiums in Pinellas County say they are prisoners in their own homes.

That’s because the building’s only elevator caught fire March 3, and repairs haven’t even started. The condos are located at 2228 Swedish Dr.

“I can’t see the steps so I’ve got to go very slowly,” blind resident Dennis Babini said.”I’ve fallen down a couple times already.”

A week before the fire, Babini told 8 On Your Side he was trapped inside for about 20 minutes when the door wouldn’t open. Babini said the person who answered the elevator’s emergency phone told him to sit on the floor and wait for help.

Marjorie Meyer struggles with a heart problem.”I went down yesterday and when I came back I had to lay down for half an hour. I couldn’t breathe,” Meyer said. “I was almost ready to call the paramedics.”

“I have reported that elevator having trouble for the last five years,” said Gary Ordway, a resident who was going to get a stint installed the day after speaking to 8 On Your Side. He has a 90 percent blockage in his artery. Read more: