Demolition began this morning on the Smith Hill house that recently caught fire. The fire on the foreclosed property at 380 Smith Street had raised community concerns about the safety of abandoned buildings and timely corrective action by city officials, according to City Councilman Terrence M. Hassett, Ward 12.

Hassett noted that the fire was of suspicious origin and that he had been carefully monitoring the events that followed the fire “in order to insure that public safety is protected and that a redeveloped property results swiftly.”

“Our concern is with properties that are in foreclosure and vacant,” Hassett stated.  “This is not specific to any neighborhood; this is an issue of great concern throughout the city.” 

Hassett said he has been in regular contact with the Director of Inspection and Standards, Francisco Ramirez, and is encouraged that new procedures are in place to respond to these kinds of emergency situations. 

At least 75 properties in Ward 12 are in the foreclosure proceedings.