EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Neighbors in South Central El Paso say they are finally getting some relief after a long-troubled home at 1306 Magoffin is being torn down following months of safety concerns, a fire now under investigation as arson and a suspicious death investigation.<\/p>\n
Crews spent the day clearing debris at the property, with excavators removing what remained of the home that burned Saturday night. <\/p>\n
Neighbors say they have complained for months about break-ins and suspicious activity around the home. <\/p>\n
One neighbor said, \u201cIt\u2019s a very, very good thing, because a lot of people used to hang out there. It means more safety for us; it lets us live in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
South Central El Paso neighbors feel relief as troubled Magoffin house comes down (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RELATED: Demolition surveyor found man\u2019s body at burned Magoffin home<\/p>\n
Another neighbor said, \u201cHonestly it really is scary sometimes…it would really feel great if they moved somewhere else so we could feel safer.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city tells KFOX14\/CBS4 it had previously ordered the property to be demolished. <\/p>\n
On Oct. 16, the city ordered the owner to demolish the home within 30 days. By Nov. 16, that deadline passed without the property being torn down. The city said it then had authority to step in, begin the process of hiring a contractor and place a lien on the property to recover costs.Before that process was completed, the house caught fire on April 18. The next day, fire officials said the fire was being investigated as arson. On April 20, a demolition surveyor found a body inside the structure, prompting a suspicious death investigation.<\/p>\n
Asked why demolition had not happened sooner, a city spokesperson told KFOX14\/CBS4 there is no fixed timeline for when the city steps in after a deadline passes, but added staff were working to secure a contractor before the fire. <\/p>\n
The city also said it later learned the property owner had hired a demolition contractor as well.<\/p>\n