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Local family had a fire on March 24th. This is the third fire at their property, the second fire was the garage, and I wasn't here for the first. This fire was in the front bedroom, and appears to have been electrical. Our local volunteer fire department got the fire out in a couple hours and cut a hole in the roof. The power was cut to the house at the time of the fire.
Here is what is happening and causing me a HUGE headache. A week after the fire, on Caesar Chavez Day, the 31st, while I was running errands I noticed a pick-up with racks at the home in question. I had the day off, got in to work on Friday and got the message from an out-of-town electrical contractor. Called him and got him squared away with a permit, city business license, etc. He subcontracts with Clean Rite Build Rite who were contacted by the insurance company to clean-up the aftermath of the fire. Temporary power was granted and hooked up last Friday.
Today, my boss and I were talking about how there has been no progress on the clean-up so I called Clean Rite Build Rite to ask if they had any questions, if they have a timeline to have the property cleaned up, need building permits, etc. We found out that they have quit the job due to conditions inside the house. He required his employee(s) to wear protective clothing due to the piles of dog feces, rats, and stacks of 'stuff'. The foregoing was bad enough but when the employee(s) found hypodermic needles in the bathroom and burned bedroom in the house, the clean-up was over by Clean Rite Build Rite.
So, my boss, the Director of Public Works; the Chief of Police; the Environmental Health guy; and myself made a call to the insurance adjuster. Our worst fears have been realized, the family has decided to do the clean-up and all the repairs themselves (including electrical). There isn't a contractor in the bunch and there are several small children involved.
We have serious concerns that this project will ever be completed, done correctly, etc., etc., etc. The reason for the concern on our local AHJ is because we have sent them nuisance abatement notices every year since 2005, and I sent out a couple notices in the late 90's. These folks are hoarders and never throw anything away. The city cleaned-up the front and back yards in 2007. It took all day, the entire public works crew of 5 plus the asst. DPW, the DPW, the Chief and Lieutenant of PD; 7 dump trucks of 'stuff' went to the dump; plus animal control seized the dog chained in the back yard. So, this is the history and the dilemma we face.
Your opinion please!
How do we make sure that the property gets cleaned up and rehabbed/demolished/etc.?
I'm considering red-tagging the property to be sure the property is cleaned up in a timely manner using the IPMC, probably tomorrow.
As the original contractor has been fired, I suspended the temporary electrical permit today and power has been cut. My one requirement and the power company lineman's was that ALL electrical work be performed by a licensed CA electrician. My reasoning is that the permit is under the original electrician's name and license.
Any and all (reasonable) suggestions on how to proceed will be entertained. Thanks for listening and sorry for the long post.
Moderator, please move if necessary.
Here is what is happening and causing me a HUGE headache. A week after the fire, on Caesar Chavez Day, the 31st, while I was running errands I noticed a pick-up with racks at the home in question. I had the day off, got in to work on Friday and got the message from an out-of-town electrical contractor. Called him and got him squared away with a permit, city business license, etc. He subcontracts with Clean Rite Build Rite who were contacted by the insurance company to clean-up the aftermath of the fire. Temporary power was granted and hooked up last Friday.
Today, my boss and I were talking about how there has been no progress on the clean-up so I called Clean Rite Build Rite to ask if they had any questions, if they have a timeline to have the property cleaned up, need building permits, etc. We found out that they have quit the job due to conditions inside the house. He required his employee(s) to wear protective clothing due to the piles of dog feces, rats, and stacks of 'stuff'. The foregoing was bad enough but when the employee(s) found hypodermic needles in the bathroom and burned bedroom in the house, the clean-up was over by Clean Rite Build Rite.
So, my boss, the Director of Public Works; the Chief of Police; the Environmental Health guy; and myself made a call to the insurance adjuster. Our worst fears have been realized, the family has decided to do the clean-up and all the repairs themselves (including electrical). There isn't a contractor in the bunch and there are several small children involved.
We have serious concerns that this project will ever be completed, done correctly, etc., etc., etc. The reason for the concern on our local AHJ is because we have sent them nuisance abatement notices every year since 2005, and I sent out a couple notices in the late 90's. These folks are hoarders and never throw anything away. The city cleaned-up the front and back yards in 2007. It took all day, the entire public works crew of 5 plus the asst. DPW, the DPW, the Chief and Lieutenant of PD; 7 dump trucks of 'stuff' went to the dump; plus animal control seized the dog chained in the back yard. So, this is the history and the dilemma we face.
Your opinion please!
How do we make sure that the property gets cleaned up and rehabbed/demolished/etc.?
I'm considering red-tagging the property to be sure the property is cleaned up in a timely manner using the IPMC, probably tomorrow.
As the original contractor has been fired, I suspended the temporary electrical permit today and power has been cut. My one requirement and the power company lineman's was that ALL electrical work be performed by a licensed CA electrician. My reasoning is that the permit is under the original electrician's name and license.
Any and all (reasonable) suggestions on how to proceed will be entertained. Thanks for listening and sorry for the long post.
