The city of Syracuse has continued to try and find ways to address the problem of vacant properties in the city. Especially when those homes are sometimes at the center of crime or perhaps structure fires. Vacant house fires have long been an issue across different Syracuse neighborhoods. It happened on East Laurel Street last week, and twice on the southside just a few weeks before. “I was in an apartment on the Westside and recently my apartment burned down,” said Jean Cormier. “I lost everything. Buildings like that are an eyesore for one thing but also they provide a place for people to congregate and do illegal activities.” Cormier now lives with his family on the northside of the city but has not escaped the fires, as issues with vacant properties also exist in his new neighborhood.