'It's going to kill somebody': Neighbours push for burned-out northeast Calgary home to be cleaned up
When flames started consuming the back of a home in Calgary's northeast neighbourhood of Falconridge in December, neighbours made sure everyone got out safely.
Now, six months later, they just want the damaged and abandoned property cleaned up.
"The garage is ready to fall down. It's going to kill somebody," said Don Penner, who lives near the home on Falshire Close N.E.
Neighbours say the owner can't afford to pay to fix or clean up the home and property.
"The poor guy's got no money, no insurance, so he's limited in what he can do. Basically we haven't seen him now," Penner said.
CTV News has been unable to get in contact with the owner of the property and cell phone numbers listed under the man's name have been disconnected. The city says it’s having trouble serving the owner with a cleanup order, too.
The back of the home has been fenced off, but the front of the home remains accessible and open.
Charred, broken and rusted debris is piled up and its fence is falling over. People have been breaking into the home to steal what's left inside, neighbours say, and some people also use the damaged home as a hangout.
"We've been chasing people almost, I would say, on a daily basis now – just snooping around in the house, stealing some stuff or throwing garbage in there," said Jose Lallana, who lives nearby.
"People are coming through here, middle of the night, stealing copper, breaking things down," Penner added.
"Young kids are coming through here... all the time."
CITY COULD STEP IN EVENTUALLY
The city does have the ability to take over a property due to safety concerns, but it's a process that takes a lot of time.
"We do need to work with the owner and give him as much time to resolve the issues as possible," said Cliff de Jong, the city's issues management coordinator.
"Suffice it to say, the time has just dragged on too long," de Jong said.
He added that the city could consider hiring security to check on the property while waiting for the property owner to clean it up.
Neighbours just hope something is done before someone is injured.
"We're willing to help this guy out and help the city out, but we're only limited to what we can do as neighbours," said Lallana.
"It's just... it's getting dangerous."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.