x
Breaking News
More () »

Tempers Flare over Fire-Damaged Home

EAST STROUDSBURG —  Weeks after a fire destroyed several row homes in East Stroudsburg tenants in neighboring homes are fired up because they say their pl...

EAST STROUDSBURG --  Weeks after a fire destroyed several row homes in East Stroudsburg tenants in neighboring homes are fired up because they say their places are still unlivable.

They claim their landlord isn't doing anything to fix problems caused by the fire. The property owner, Sal Catalano, argues otherwise.

Tempers flared on Lackawanna Avenue in East Stroudsburg as a landlord and tenant battled over the condition of the house.

"No, it's not ok, Sal! Would you have your kids in here?" asked Caroline Boehner.

It was just a few weeks ago fire destroyed neighboring row homes. Boehner said her rental home still has water in her basement, water damage to ceilings, and now mold. She said her landlord, Sal Catalano, isn't fixing the damage.

"I'll fix anything that's a problem as long as I'm told," Catalano said.

Boehner said she refuses to live in the home with her three kids, ages 7, 5, and fourteen months.

"The house smells like mold and fire inside, and our landlord wants us to move back in. He tells us it's livable and it's not liveable," Boehner said.

Marv Walton, the zoning and codes officer in East Stroudsburg said he's taken a look inside the house and has issued several violations.

"The unit is not liveable with the water in the basement and the lack of the smoke alarm system," said Walton.

Catalano denies ever getting any violations from the borough, which were sent last week.

Boehner said all she wants to do is come back to a clean, livable home with her family.

"I just want to bring my kids somewhere else besides someone's house, or to put them in a car to drive around to figure out where to go every day," Boehner said.

Borough officials said that Catalano has 30 days to respond and comply to the notice of violations or he'll be issued a citation and end up in a district court.

Before You Leave, Check This Out