The latest nuisance for neighbours surrounding a fire ravaged home in Wallaceburg, are literally crawling out of the Hiram Street property.
Jeannie Carroll, who lives across the road from 35 Hiram Street, discovered an unpleasant surprise in her back yard when she found a dead rat in a bucket of pool toys.
“We had towels wrapped around our faces because of the smell,” Carroll told the Sydenham Current.
“The rats are migrating from there and infesting the rest of the neighbourhood. I am not sure if anyone else have found anything but they are visible on the front porch at night. It is a health hazard and possible rabies for anyone who has pets in the surrounding area. When the house is torn down the rats are going to scatter.”
The body length of the rat was at least 10 to 12 inches, and it was discovered when she went outside to investigate a bad smell.
Carroll said she was also concerned because her grandchildren, ages two and four, were set to visit her.
“I just want them to be safe in the backyard and not encounter any animals,” she said.
Municipality looking into the rat issue
Erin Merritt, a by-law enforcement officer with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, told the Sydenham Current she has called Carroll to explain what the Municipality has done in an attempt to help and rectify the rat situation.
“I called the property management company, I have requested that all the yard debris be removed and traps placed in the house,” Merritt said in an email to the Sydenham Current.
“This company will confirm this work with their client and then call me to confirm it. I let them know that we have received multiple complaints about the condition of the property, yard debris and now rats. They are going to let their client know that the Municipality has called and received complaints from citizens, councillors, the mayor and been contacted by local media.”
Merritt said once she has confirmation, she can let the newspaper know exactly what will be done and the timelines.
“Unfortunately, my hands are tied until my (Order to Demolish) comes due on July 25th, 2017, if I do not receive an appeal by the 21st,” she said.
Earlier this month, Merritt said steps are being taken to tear the house down as an Order to Demolish was mailed out to all parties on title on Friday, June 30 and also posted up on the property. Read more about this, here.
Next steps
Merritt said if an appeal is received, a Property Standards hearing will be conducted.
“The Property Standards Committee will make their decision which could be to uphold, rescind, extend or modify the Order to Demolish which is currently against the property,” she said.
“I then have to wait 14 days to see if the decision is appealed to Superior court, if it is not appealed further (which it rarely is) I just have to comply with the dates on the committee’s decision.”
Merritt said if the Order is not appealed, after July 25, she will issue a final and binding letter, stating that the Municipality is proceeding with enforcing the demolition order.
“I will then have to get an environmental assessment, put the work out to tender, get the utilities shut off and then a demolition permit can be issued allowing the work to be completed,” she said, adding that this process can take up to a couple months to complete these required steps.
What ‘ignited’ this issue
Hiram Street fire in #Wallaceburg 🔥@ckfiredept on the roof batting the blaze pic.twitter.com/uCQigctjmX
— Sydenham Current (@SydenhamCurrent) 22 April 2017
Wallaceburg firefighters responded to a blaze at the property back on April 22.
The Criminal Investigations Unit of the Chatham-Kent Police Service has wrapped up their investigation into the fire.
It had been investigated as an arson.
Police officials said there was insufficient evidence to charge any suspects in the case.
Damage was pegged at $100,000.
Several neighbours in the Hiram Street area contacted the Sydenham Current, complaining about the condition of the property after the fire.
Knee-high grass, rotten food in the backyard, mattresses lying around and rodents and raccoons fighting at night were some of the complaints.
A sign was also hammered into the ground, which read ‘Shame on C-K’.
One neighbour said the Municipality was called multiple times over the past few months since the fire.
“It’s a mosquito haven right now,” another neighbour said.
“It’s disgusting… it’s an eyesore.”
Here is our full coverage on the issue:
– July: Demolition order placed for fire-ravaged home
– July: Demolition order being placed for Hiram Street home
– April: Update: $100,000 damage after Hiram Street blaze
– April: Arson investigation after Hiram Street blaze in Wallaceburg
– April: House fire on Hiram Street in Wallaceburg (Video, Photos)
– Submitted photo
