It’s obvious we’ve got a firebug running around the North End, according to Councillor Susan Fullerton. Common council deciding the city needs stricter fines for property owners who neglect buildings and allow fire hazards to fester.
Fire Chief Kevin Clifford tells CHSJ News police are looking into as many as four suspicious fires in the North End and people are scared, and while they’ve succeeded in closing some of the files it’s a moving target.
The new by-law would crack down on property owners who ignore warnings to clean up their act. Councillor Donnie Snook and others stressed fire prevention doesn’t always mean tearing buildings down, but giving more incentives to restore them.
Meanwhile, council decided putting down topsoil and grass seed to beautify existing abandoned lots is too expensive.
