Tree being cut down falls on Murray Hill home

Tenant claims owner used unlicensed tree trimmers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Murray Hill home was ruined Tuesday night after a tree that was being cut down fell on the house.

The woman who had been renting the house on Plum Street -- and is seven months pregnant -- said she was inside the home minutes before the tree fell.

Lauren Williams said that around 7 p.m. Tuesday, tree trimmers began preparing to cut down a hazardous tree, and she had no idea it was happening until her fiance came and told her. She claimed that her landlord, Gary McIntyre, hired a tree service that was unlicensed. 

One man from the tree service was injured, because he was on top of the tree when it fell into the house. McIntyre told News4Jax he suffered minor injuries.

Police were at the residence, along with McIntyre and the tenants, Tuesday night, trying to sort everything out.

"He got hostile and actually took a gun out and put it in his back pocket," Williams said of McIntyre. "Just because two people are arguing over something you're doing to them doesn't mean you go and get a gun out of your car."

When News4Jax arrived on scene the tree-trimming service was trying to remove the tree with a rope and a truck. JEA has cut off electricity to the unit.

"There's just irreplaceable items in there I'll never get back," Williams said. "I have my grandmother's tea set in there that is smashed and broken. I have my furniture in there, everything."

According to Williams, McIntyre, who also owns two neighboring homes, was supposed to tear down the rotting tree for some time and received a notice from the city's code enforcement to remove the tree on Sept. 3.

News4Jax spoke to McIntyre, and he said that technically Williams is no longer his tenant, because she had not paid rent for 30 days. He said he issued an eviction notice on Sept. 17 and did not hear from Williams, so he assumed she was gone and didn't tell her when he hired the tree service.

"She had 10 days to evict or pay the full rent. Under its present condition, it's not liveable," McIntyre said. "I've told her to take her money that she was going to pay me for the rent, which she hasn't paid, to use that for a hotel or food."

News4Jax asked McIntyre if the tree service that was cutting down the tree was licensed. He said yes, but seemed unsure.

"Far as I know yes they are, I don't know...I haven't seen 'em. They've done over a thousand trees for me, I'm sure they are so..." McIntyre said.

The Red Cross was also at the scene and offered assistance to Williams, including funds for three nights at a hotel and food and referrals to the United Way and city housing.


About the Authors:

Emmy-nominated journalist Kristin Cason joined the News 6 team in June 2016.