Protesters endure the heat to put slum lords on the hot seat

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Another day of triple-digit temperatures hit the Valley. While many people can escape into their homes or cars to evade the heat, others aren't as lucky. Advocates for those families gathered in front of city hall Thursday night.

While air conditioners kept the inside of city hall cool-- cold air is more of a luxury for others.

"It's extremely expensive, you are forced to choose between having three extra days of groceries or the air conditioner all day long," said Esperanza Lopez Powell, Fresno tenant.

Those living in rundown homes said summer is the worst time of the year. The houses have broken doors, cracked windows, and no AC. They are demonstrating, hoping the city cracks down on slumlords.

"They don't have working air conditioners. They just have a lot of issues with their homes that are aggravated by the heat and they have to suffer with that every day, their requests to have things fixed go ignored," said Ashley Flowers, No More Slumlords.

Across the city, everyone seemed agitated by the weather. Even as the sun started dipping in the late afternoon people said it was brutal to venture outside-- even for recreational activities.

"The past three days, it's been getting in the three digits. I'm just hoping it cools down," said Joseph John Rocha, fighting the heat.

Members of the fire squad sweated it out in the stadium. Wishing cheering on the Fresno Fuego didn't involve standing in it.

"It's really hot, but we are outside for Fuego doesn't matter. 110, we are out here," said Yesenia Chaves, Fuego fan.

Not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. While some can return to cool air conditioned homes at the end of the day others are still fighting for that right.

"It's dehumanizing almost-- it hurts," said Esperanza Lopez Powell, Fresno tenant.

Organizers said they hope the city council will crack down harder on negligent landlords and have code enforcement to take the situation more seriously.