Pekin home was collapsing before demolition, city officials say

PEORIA (25News Now) - A house demolished with the tenant’s belongings inside was in an active state of collapse before it was taken down, according to Pekin City Officials.

Interim City Manager and Police Chief John Dossey said in a statement the home was destroyed due to intense damage received after a severe storm in late April. The property owner and tenant were notified of the home’s uninhabitable condition shortly after the storm.

The house at 311 Caroline Street was severely damaged by a falling tree on April 20. Crews were on the scene to clean up the tree debris.

The next day, the property owner was told to repair the damage. Wednesday, the city learned the roof was collapsing and the walls were pushing out.

“The home was secured for safety and due to the imminent danger posed to the health and safety of the neighboring properties and the community at large it was determined that immediate action needed to be taken to demolish the home,” the release stated.

City officials met the property owner and tenant Wednesday to inform them of the demolition. At 7 a.m. Thursday, the tenant went inside the home to retrieve personal items, and the house was then torn down.

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