Nitro resident, Eric Beane remembers the massive tire fire in Nitro that occured three years ago just like it was yesterday.

"I looked out the window and black smoke was rolling down the road." recalls Beane.

Thousands of residents in the surrounding the area were forced to shelter in place for hours. After the fire they were told they could receive money as part of a 700-thousand dollar settlement. But Beane and his neighbors, who live just about a half a mile away, were denied any funds. And they don't appear to be the only ones.

"I've talked to several people and all of them have received denial letters. And I haven't talked to anyone yet that said they were getting any of it." says Nitro resident Jeannie Patton.

Jeannie Patton and her husband also filed a claim for their business that was just across the road from where the fire occured. It was denied as well.

"This is so farfetched. Anyone with a peabrain would know we're in the area of the fire." says Jerry Patton.

Nitro Mayor Rusty Casto says the city has no say in the matter.

"It didn't go across my desk. It went across the judge's desk in Charleston." says Casto.

Now some some of these residents plan to appeal the matter in hopes of getting what they say they were promised.

"It looks like someone's gonna fatten their pocketbooks. Not me. Not the residents." says Patton.

Those approved will be getting between 68 and 291 dollars each. They should be getting their money in a few weeks. Those denied we spoke with say they will not be giving up on their appeals. Any money left over in the lawsuit is supposed to go to the Nitro and St. Albans fire departments.