LAS VEGAS(KTNV) — Attorneys for the Alpine Motel Apartments, the site of the deadliest fire in the history of the City of Las Vegas, say they are hoping to return the personal belongings of former residents as soon as legally possible.
"These people's personal property is still in our property," said Steven Jaffe, attorney for the Alpine Motel Apartment's owner.
RELATED: Troubled Alpine Motel Apartments has fire safety violation history dating back 34 years
"We don't want it, we don't need it, its theirs," he added.
"We want to try and get it back to them," Jaffe said.
Attorneys for both sides were in court Tuesday to discuss the process in which the items could be returned.
"These people are hurting," said Attorney Robert Eglet, who is representing almost 40 Alpine Motel Apartment residents.
"They lost their possessions, they don't have the resources to go out and rent another apartment, get another house, or anything like that," added Eglet.
RELATED: Video shows people escaping Alpine fire in downtown Las Vegas
Judge Rob Bare agreed with attorneys about the need to return the items while preserving the integrity of multiple investigations and legal proceedings.
“Frankly all parties involved with the situation have an interest in preserving the evidence," said Judge Bare.
RELATED: UPDATE: Family of Alpine Motel Apartments fire victim demanding answers
"Certainly all the residents do, certainly all of those who are injured do and certainly those family members or representatives of the six people who died they all have an interest in preserving evidence that will ultimately tell the story as to what really happened on that fateful day," added Bare.
Eglet said he is working on a plan to return the items and will have updates perhaps as soon as next week.
Jaffe said the building contains asbestos and the material will need to be addressed before any property can be returned.
There are no immediate plans for the future of the building which was heavily damaged by fire late last year.
