SCRANTON -- It has been nearly a month since a bar and apartment house was destroyed by fire in Scranton. Its neighbors on Capouse Avenue are reminded of it every day because the remains of the demolished building haven't been picked up yet.
The Doghouse Saloon on Capouse Avenue burned on August 5. More than 20 people who lived in the building's apartments were forced out. Two residents now face criminal charges for accidentally starting the fire.
People who still live in that neighborhood are waiting for one more thing, for the building to be cleaned up.
"After they knocked it down we haven't really seen much of anything. It hasn't really changed," said Amy Hnat who works near the demolished building.
Deemed unsafe by Scranton's Department of Licensing, Inspections, and Permits, the saloon and apartment building was torn down right after the fire. The property owner was supposed to pay for the cleanup work.
"Just waiting like the rest of the neighborhood. Hoping they clean it. I see they have a machine there but it hasn't moved since they put it there. They pulled it up there and that's the last it moved," said neighbor William Keller.
Keller said the mess left over is an eyesore. It's a concern for his next door neighbor who has rubble hanging in his lawn.
The pile of rubble has also bothered Scranton city officials who plan to cite the property owner later on this week. They're also prepared to step in if needed.
City officials told Newswatch 16 that if the owner does not react to the citations, they will pay for the clean up and put a lien against the property to recoup the costs.
That was positive news for the folks at Pulman Interiors across the street.
"It definitely can't be good that it's just sitting like that. I mean, I imagine, now there's going to be some issues with it just piled up like that," Hnat added.
City officials and neighbors fear the rubble continues to be a fire risk. Plus, it's keeping this neighborhood from moving on.
"I would love to see it cleaned up, don't get me wrong, because the longer they let it sit the worse it's going to get," Keller added.
Scranton city officials said they don't have a definite amount of time to wait until they decide whether or not to intervene with the fire clean up. Until they make that decision, they plan to cite the property owner each day until it is cleaned up.
