KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A KC man and his twin sister say they live in a home, but it feels like they’re living outside because the house they’re renting doesn’t have heat. The siblings say they’ve been trying to get their gas turned on since they moved in, which was back in August.
Orlando Shaw and his sister Dorothy have put up a comforter over their front door in order to keep the house warm. Not only does the home lack heat, but hot water as well.
Dorothy says she’s been keeping a close eye on the weather. For five months, the Shaws say they’ve been trying to get Missouri Gas Energy to turn on the gas in their rental home.
“It’s very frustrating because I work 12 hours a day and I have to boil water to take a bath, and then gotta lay in a cold bed,” said Dorothy.
The Shaws have five space heaters set up around their house to keep warm.
“We can catch on fire, we could die,” said Dorothy.
She says she also keeps the oven open to diminish the chill. Orlando says he put plastic covers over the windows to keep cold air out of the home.
“It’s real difficult. I have to wear sweaters. You see I still have my hat on; that’s how I sleep,” he said.
Orlando says he’s a single father and his two young children are temporarily staying with his girlfriend.
“The Christmas presents for the kids. They haven’t been home to open their presents yet, because it’s been too cold in here,” Dorothy explained.
Missouri Gas Energy says the home doesn’t have a meter or a gas service line running from the street to their home. A gas company spokesperson says it normally takes 25 to 30 days to schedule the order, but FOX 4 is told a crew will be out late this week to start the work, and the Shaw’s gas service will be connected soon.
“My kids can come home. I can see them. I appreciate that,” said Orlando.
The Shaws say they’re looking forward to cranking up their thermostat next week and being able to take a nice hot bath. They’re also looking forward to paying less for electricity. They say their bill was $500 last month, and attribute that to using the oven and space heaters to stay warm.
