safety
DeKalb homeowner says mold forced her from home after restoration repairs; company disputes claims
By Ashli Lincoln at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 7, 2026
· 3 min read
A 79-year-old DeKalb County homeowner has been unable to live in her Stone Mountain home for more than a year after her family says an independently owned SERVPRO franchise caused damage to their property after fire restoration work, leading to extensive mold damage.The dispute centers on a home ...
Key takeaway I mean she has nothing to call her own,” Harris’ niece, Melia Flemmings, told Channel 2 Action News.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The situation on Chinquapin Way raises concerns about the oversight of restoration work in DeKalb County, particularly when it comes to ensuring that contractors comply with permitting and code requirements. The fact that DeKalb County issued two stop-work orders at the property suggests that there were significant issues with the way the restoration was being handled. As the county's stop-work orders indicate, proper permitting and inspections are crucial to preventing exactly the kind of damage that Josephine Harris' family is now dealing with. The potential financial burden on Harris, who may be responsible for paying some of the costs to bring her home up to code, also highlights the need for clear communication and transparency between contractors, homeowners, and local authorities. This case may prompt closer examination of how DeKalb County monitors restoration work and supports homeowners who find themselves in similar situations.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A 79-year-old DeKalb County homeowner has been unable to live in her Stone Mountain home for more than a year after her family says an independently owned SERVPRO franchise caused damage to their property after fire restoration work, leading to extensive mold damage.The dispute centers on a home ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ashli Lincoln at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter