ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orlando family contacted WFTV after an energy company left a big mess in their back yard.
They said Duke Energy cut down a large tree behind their home on Satel Drive and left tree branches everywhere.
Initially, Duke refused to clean up the mess. But after the call to WFTV, the family said they got results.
"This is ridiculous because I'm trying to help my parents," said resident Laura Tran. "They said the tree was in the power lines, so they have to trim it down and cut it."
Tran had been trying since Friday to get the company to come back after they cut everything down last week.
Tran said the tree trimmers told her they weren't planning on coming back.
Laura's parents didn't think twice about allowing the company to cut their tree because last year the company trimmed a tree in their front yard and took everything away.
When WFTV called Duke Energy they said they would look into the matter.
Three hours after the phone call, a small crew cleaned up the mess.
"Duke called us out here and said, 'Take care of it,' so that's what we're here for," said trimmer Lloyd Garton.
WFTV found out that based on Duke Energy's policies, storm-related cuttings are the homeowner's responsibility, and even though it was the neighbor who called to report the broken tree limb on the power line, since the tree is on Tran's parents' property, clean up falls on them.
Tran said she wished someone had explained that to her and her parents.
"Thank you Channel 9. I couldn't believe it," Tran said.
If Duke Energy has to prune trees for maintenance the company will place door hangers on residents doors three days before work begins.