City considers demolition of unsafe Eustis home after fires, squatting concerns

City commissioners are expected to decide Thursday whether to approve up to $25,000 to demolish a Dicie Avenue home that officials say has been unsafe for months and has been the scene of repeated problems, including squatting and two fires in less than two weeks.

The issues date back to February, when city inspectors found dangerous electrical conditions and unsanitary living conditions inside the home. The property was declared unsafe, and Duke Energy cut power to the building.

City officials said that did not keep people from going inside.

In April, the house caught fire twice in less than two weeks. City records show four people were inside during one of the fires, including the grandson of the property’s deceased owner.

He told firefighters they had been using candles and open flames for light and heat.

After the fire, the city tried to secure the property by boarding up the building. Nine days later, it caught fire again, and firefighters had to cut through plywood to get inside.

By July, the city’s Code Enforcement Board had ordered the property owner to either repair or demolish the home by Aug. 12. City officials said that deadline passed without the property being brought into compliance.

Now, the city is preparing to move forward with asbestos removal and demolition. The lowest complete bid for the work came in at just over $20,000, but commissioners are being asked to approve up to $25,000 from city reserves to cover the project and any unexpected costs.

The city plans to place a lien on the property in an effort to recover the money.

Commissioners are scheduled to consider the plan Thursday at 6 p.m.