NILES Neighbors: Demolish fire-damaged house

The city's code enforcement officer condemned the Ohio Avenue house in February.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Neighbors of a fire-damaged Ohio Avenue house are tired of debris from the home coming into their yard, and want the house to be demolished.
The house at 212 Ohio Ave., which is owned by Anthony and Brenda Dugan, was damaged by fire in December. Anthony Dugan was charged with arson. He waived his preliminary hearing in Niles Municipal Court and the case was bound over to the Trumbull County grand jury.
Demolition order: Members of the city's housing board of appeals ordered Monday that the house be destroyed and the property be cleaned up. Stephen J. Yovich, city housing maintenance code enforcement officer, condemned the house in February, giving the Dugans 30 days to fix it or tear it down, but it remains standing.
"I'm tired of 5-foot siding going in my yard," Julia Hallock, who lives across the street from the burned house, told board members.
Wind blows debris off of the property into the neighbors' yards and surrounding property, neighbors said.
"There's also glass," Hallock said. "There are always kids riding tricycles and people running in the neighborhood."
The house's condition also worries Ivan McMillen, another Ohio Avenue resident.
"I'm concerned about the loose stuff on the side of the building," he said. "If I'm coming into my driveway in my car and something blows off the building and hits my car, who pays for it?"
Awaiting an answer: Dugan told board members at Monday's meeting that he hasn't been able to get a straight answer from his insurance company or mortgage company about the fate of the property. The mortgage company has started foreclosure proceedings.
"My insurance company hasn't told me one way or the other how they will rule. If I were you, I would feel the same way," he said, referring to his neighbors.
The board must seek bids for the demolition and either Dugan or the mortgage company may appeal the demolition order. The cost of the demolition would then be added to the property owner's taxes.