City Sues Over Fire In Vacant Downtown Building 4.11.11

WRTV

The city is suing the owner of a vacant downtown apartment building that was leveled after the third fire there in 10 years left the structure a total loss.
The historic block-long, four-story Chadwick Apartments building, at the corner of 10th and Pennsylvania streets, burned in January in a fire believed to be started by squatters living in the building.
The public nuisance suit against owner James E. Chalfant with Chadwick Partners Inc. asserts that the fire and demolition was a foreseeable result of unreasonable neglect.
"The deteriorated condition of the property, coupled with the owner’s failure to secure and monitor the property, greatly increased the likelihood and magnitude of a fire," City Prosecutor Helen Marchal said in a news release.
The city is seeking reimbursement for the cost of fighting the fire and of the emergency demolition, along with punitive damages.
Of the nearly 400 arson investigations last year, 95 intentionally set fires occurred in vacant houses with no utilities, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.
"Whether its squatters trying to stay warm or cook food, it's a big issue for the fire department, and it's a big safety issue for the firefighters," said Indianapolis Fire Department Capt. Rita Burris.
The number of abandoned properties in Indianapolis is estimated at more than 10,000 homes and buildings.
"It tears down property values. It's an attraction to crime. It attracts vagrants and squatters. And it's an issue because of unpaid taxes," said Reggie Walton, the city's director of unsafe properties.
The city is also filing suit against Caroline Briggs, who owns a historic building at 829 N. Pennsylvania St.
She's accused of allowing the property to become dilapidated, serving as a home for the homeless and contributing to downtown blight.
"As a result of these negligent behaviors, the health, safety and lives of Indianapolis citizens have been imperiled, public resources have been consumed and the property poses an unreasonable risk to emergency responders," Marchal said.
The city is seeking fines and punitive damages against Briggs.
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/27509582/detail.html