Fargo family believes a fire in their home could have been prevented

FARGO, N.D. -- No place to go for family of four and their three dogs following a Sunday night fire in their home. The tenants said they'd been asking the landlord to fix the old electrical wiring for more than a year. We spoke to the family and the landlord who said no one said anything to him.

"I had tears in my eyes, because I was so afraid that the dogs passed or somebody, said tenant, Van Grav.

Grav along with his family watched Fargo firefighters take control of an electrical fire in the basement of his rental home.

"This is a fire hazard waiting to happen and it happened, Grav said pointing to the electrical control box.

Grav said trying to get his landlord, Pete Sabo, to fix the laundry list of electrical problems has been a struggle. Even after multiple complaints he told us he's spent close to $2,000 out of his pocket just to replace broken fuses.

Since they've moved in nearly two years ago, they've been using extension cords to power up as only two outlets work.

Sparks flying when we plug it in, said Grav, which has previously led to two small outlet fires. An unresolved problem that he believes caused the fire. Sabo said otherwise.

He has never, ever, ever told me there was any problem with the electricity, said Landlord, Pete Sabo. If he said there was something wrong with sparking and the electric, I would be 25 times more anxious to fix the thing."

But, I spoke to Fargo City Housing authority and found out during the last inspection in July, several electrical issues were cited including hazardous wiring.

"All I'm asking for is some help, Grav told us.

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Fargo family believes a fire in their home could have been prevented