Refugees At Fresno Apartment Complex Living Without Heat

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Activists say about 500 people, most of them refugees, have gone without heat, hot water or the ability to cook in their kitchens for more than 10 days after gas service was cut off to their Fresno apartment complex.

Zach Darrah, executive director of the Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries, tells the Fresno Bee some residents of the Somerset Village Apartments haven't had gas service since November 9.

Darrah says Somerset Village is one of the largest refugee apartment complexes in Fresno and that most of the residents are from Southeast Asia.

Darrah says his agency learned of issue only recently because refugees have a tendency not to speak out about problems.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. spokesman Denny Boyles says the utility is aware of the situation and doing all they can to help.