A Fort Dodge family is disappointed in the city’s decision to demolish a house that was the location of a fatal fire back in February while they are involved in a litigation with their landlord.
The home at 703 Fourth Avenue North was demolished Monday after the city’s board of health ruled it was a health hazard and it needed to be torn down immediately.
The city said requests to the landowner to take down the charred home had not been acted on, so city crews took on the job and will bill the property owner, Jeffrey D. Colby for the expenses.
Victims of the fire however say the house came down too soon, before they were able to get closure and answers.
Ashley Urich was renting the home and was present when the fire broke out that killed Amy Devlin, Bryce Devlin and Joseph Kennedy.
“The last thing I remember was Joe at the top of the stairs, and that was it,” said Urich.
Grieving from the loss of loved ones, Urich said the family requested that their landlord allow them to look in the rubble for sentimental items they might be able to salvage. Urich said their request was ignored, and they were surprised to learn last week that the city would be tearing down the house and removing the rubble.
“My son that I never got to bring home from the hospital because he passed away after birth, I had his foot print, a lock of his hair,” said Urich. “Now I can’t get anything.”
Urich and Joseph Kennedy’s mother Renee Stanley are involved in ligation against their landlord. They said they can’t comment on the specifics of the case, only that they expected answers and justice in court.
Fire officials have not yet determined an official cause of the fire.
The women said they are disappointed that the city had the house torn down before their case will go to court next year and an official cause of the fire has been determined.
“We don’t know anything, we have unanswered questions,” said Urich.
Local 5 was not able to reach Colby Monday.
