Colorado man loses late wife’s ashes and family treasures after reno company fails to pay storage bill

Core Insights - The auctioning of storage units is a significant issue, with approximately 155,000 units auctioned annually in the U.S., contributing to a $65 million industry focused on unclaimed belongings and missed payments [1]. Group 1: Incident Overview - A resident of Broomfield, Colorado, experienced a devastating loss when the contents of his storage unit were auctioned off after payment issues arose [1][3]. - The loss included personal and sentimental items, such as wedding albums, baby books, and the ashes of a deceased spouse [2][4]. Group 2: Process and Management Issues - The incident began when a pipe burst in a neighbor's condo, leading to the temporary storage of belongings by a restoration company, ServPro [2]. - Confusion arose when the storage facility changed ownership from CubeSmart to Extra Space Storage, which was not communicated to ServPro, potentially leading to the auction of the belongings [5]. Group 3: Emotional Impact - The emotional toll on the individual was profound, as he expressed feelings of heartbreak and devastation, particularly in relation to informing his daughter about the loss of her childhood keepsakes [3][5].