Fire damaged home leaves problem for Hastings residents
by
Curt Casper
Story Created:
Aug 30, 2010 at 9:18 PM CST
Story Updated:
Aug 30, 2010 at 9:45 PM CST
A year and a half ago a home in a quiet neighborhood in west Hastings caught fire. The inside was completely destroyed, the outside–almost in ashes. The family that used to live in it is nowhere in site. It is now leaving neighbors asking whose responsible?
Residents are responsible for keeping their homes and lawns, tidy and clean.
But it may surprise you to learn that in some cases, it's the city that ultimately is forced to take responsibility when no action is taken.
Margaret and Dave Peterson spent the afternoon brushing up one of the houses they own on West 6th Street.
"With our property the city is right on us and I don't blame them and I appreciate that," said Margaret.
But right in between two of their houses sits 2608.
"It's ugly," Margaret said.
18 months ago the house caught on fire and today it sits vacant.
"No body wants to live by it and it has no reason to why it should be here," Margaret said.
Peterson said the owners of 2608 took the insurance money and ran leaving the house to stink up the neighborhood.
"There could be all kinds of animals in there like rats," said Margaret.
Recently the city has gained ownership over the property; it took over a year in court. The city hopes people learn they are then left holding the bag with no money. And it happens in Hastings way too often.
2608 will now be knocked down and remain an empty lot. And as some neighbors say a sign of how responsible land owners should take care of their property.
Even after a year of a house gone rotten, beauty can found in the most interesting locations.
City officials said the owners did not do anything illegal. There is not currently a state law against not fixing up a burnt down house. They do however, urge lawmakers to draft a bill to help cities deal with these nuisances.
Add a comment
Most Popular