Fire Scene Cleaned Up

A trash-strewn fire scene on East Sixth Street was cleaned up this week and the structure was marked with symbols warning firefighters that it was in danger of collapse. All the debris was removed and the overgrown grass was cut.

The vacant building next door was similarly marked as in danger of collapse.

The fire broke out late on Aug. 16. To see Plaintalker's post on the fire, click here.

Both houses were known to be frequented by squatters. When I went to take the update photos, a man was just going down the driveway of the first house. As he stood concealed behind some boards at the side, someone called out of the house to ask what was going on. The man explained he was just urinating.

"What is she doing?" the person in the house asked.

"Taking pictures," the other guy said.

I decided it was time to get out of there and as I was leaving, I saw a curtain on the second floor open briefly so someone could peek out. I guess the warning symbols and red sticker were not enough to deter a squatter.

It was sad to think of someone trying to live there, but also sad to see a family outside the home just east of the gray house. A man, woman and children were going about their business as dinnertime approached, trying to lead a normal life next to two squatter buildings.

The micturationist (pisser) and I had a brief chat about how the derelict buildings probably bring down the property values on the block. He claimed not to know whether anybody was inside.

--Bernice