VIDEO: On May 12, 72 Thorpe St. in Binghamton went up in flames.
Cory Grimes just moved into the house last week. He bought an Ebike and was charging the battery under his bed when he heard a large popping noise.
โApparently, there was a fault or short in the wires, and it ignited the battery and in a matter of minutes the whole room was engulfed and then the rest of the house followed,โ Grimes said.
The fire damaged the house next door, which is owned by the bank and is about to be sold. Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham said efforts are underway to determine whether the property is salvageable.
72 Thorpe St. was previously owned by the infamous landlord Issac Anzaroot.
Star Chaplin has lived on Thorpe Street since 2003. She told 12 News this property has caused many issues in the past.
โIt looked like a landfill over there,โ Chaplin said. โHonestly, I think a vacant lot would be better than what was there.โ
Tuesday morning, Gorrick Construction demolished the property as it was a hazard to the community.
โThe building was about 90% damaged,โ Kraham said. โIt was important that the city moved quickly to demolish this building and make sure it is no longer a source of blight, but more importantly, no longer a danger to the neighborhood.โ
Debris cleanup will continue throughout the week.
Grimes told 12 News that the Red Cross is helping the occupants with housing, and there were no injuries from the fire.
