After East Ridge codes officers were denied access to the Budgetel Inn on Monday, city officials looked to the courts for a solution, according to a Tuesday press release.

The release states that last Friday, April 2,  the City of East Ridge became aware of possible unsanitary living conditions at the Budgetel Inn and Suites located at 1410 N. Mack Smith Road after reports from local media outlets.

City of East Ridge Codes Officials responded to these reports by going to the Budgetel to conduct a compliance inspection. City Officials were denied access to the property by the Budgetel Staff. On Monday, the City of East Ridge requested the issuance of an Administrative Search Warrant.

After Hamilton County Sessions Court Judge Lila Statom issued the warrant, the city commenced the execution of the warrant later in the afternoon on April 5.

At this time all findings are being compiled and evaluated, and The City of East Ridge will continue to work to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all our residents and visitors.

According to a report on WRCB-TV, a woman who was staying at the Budgetel after being displaced by a fire at Patton Towers, claimed her room was infested with roaches, bedbugs and rat feces.

The City of Chattanooga has subsequently removed some of the displaced persons from the Budgetel and are housing them in another facility, the location of which was not revealed for privacy reasons.