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City orders fire-damaged house demolished

Jill Schramm/MDN A house on Aspen Circle in southwest Minot remains damaged following an Oct. 31, 2019, fire.

A house damaged by fire in southwest Minot last fall should be demolished, the Minot City Council decided Monday.

The fire at 1804 Aspen Circle occurred Oct. 31, 2019. Kirk St. Croix and Carrie St. Croix appeared at Monday’s council meeting to appeal the city building inspector’s decision to demolish the house for safety reasons. Kirk St. Croix said they cleaned up the grounds and house interior and are attempting to sell the property.

Council member Mark Jantzer said neighbors are concerned about the lack of significant progress on either rebuilding or removing the house.

“I think we have to consider the reasonableness of the amount of time that this has gone on. I certainly sympathize with the owners. I understand that sometimes insurance claims and hiring folks to do clean and so forth can take time,” Jantzer said.

Council member Paul Pitner said his concern is the structure has become less salvageable over time and may be past the point of return.

Neighbor Mark Lyman said the neighborhood views the property as a nuisance.

“It is unsafe. It is not conducive for other people to live there, to enjoy the neighborhood,” he said.

Kirk St. Croix said they were not told what needed to be done and had depended upon their insurer.

“I don’t think we should be punished for the insurance company’s dropping the ball,” he said.

The owners have until Aug. 5 to demolish the house or the city will hire a contractor to do so and bill the property.

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