Firefighters burn homes for training, blight reduction

By J.D. Sumner (2016)
j.d.sumner@albanyherald.com

As of Friday, April 27, 2012
© Copyright 2013 Albany Herald

ALBANY — Firefighters are usually more accustomed to putting out blazes rather than lighting them, but Friday things were a little different.

Photo Gallery

Training fire

Photos from the AFD-sanctioned burning of two homes on 200 block of 6th Avenue.

When Albany Fire Department Training Chief Rubin Jordan lit a home at 208 6th Avenue ablaze, it was to allow firefighters to examine burn patterns and fire movement so that one day, when they're out in the field as future arson investigators, they'll know when a fire started accidentally and when it was set.

Friday's exercises had a duel purpose, Jordan said. Not only did they serve a teaching tool, but they also served as a way to carry out court-sanctioned demolition of the two houses that were deemed blighted and a threat to the public safety and welfare.

City officials have been taking derelict property owners to court over their blighted properties. Hundreds face potential demolition at the hands of the city if the property owners don't repair or demolish the houses themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnIoRQJfLpM&hd=1

More like this story

Blight fight declared ( February 25, 2012 )
City demo philosophy to change ( May 22, 2012 )
City to raze 76 properties ( November 17, 2009 )
Demolition of Heritage House property may be near ( January 18, 2012 )
Hubbard calls for special counsel to take lead in Heritage House demolition ( May 27, 2011 )

dingleberry 1 year ago

Strangely, this house at 208 Sixth and also house at 210 Sixth are both owned by Arcadia Missionary Baptist Church and not coded as tax exempt property on tax assessor's internet records. Both were charged and paid property taxes until tax year 2006 when tax bills were not longer sent. Why were the bills no longer sent when the property is not tax exempt? Will the church get a bill for the burn down and haul off?

Since one of the trustees is also a city commissioner, this needs to be checked out, JD.

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