PITTSBURGH -- The city of Pittsburgh has started demolishing vacant homes in Sheraden as part of an effort to curb the arsons plaguing the neighborhood.
Police still don't have any suspects in eight arsons, which started June 6 and have damaged several homes and destroyed a garage. The arsons damaged at least five houses, two of which were occupied at the time of the fires.
The majority of the targets of the arsons have been vacant homes. City officials announced on Tuesday they will tear down a total of 16 abandoned houses.
Four homes on Merwyn Avenue were scheduled to come down on Wednesday. Demolition began just after 8 a.m. The first house was demolished before 9 a.m.
"They become a target for any arsonist and this will eliminate some of that problem," said City Council member Theresa Smith.
Smith said this is just the first step, but people who live in the neighborhood said they're not sure how much help it will be, or if the arsonists will just look for other targets.
"I don't think it's going to stop them. I think they're going to come after more houses like this," said resident Ruth Neth.
"Hopefully, it will work ... We're hoping it will," said Thomas Myers, another neighbor.
"Like he said, we hope it will stop it but we can't say for sure," said Jerry Neth.
On Tuesday, police and city officials held a meeting for members of the Sheraden community to discuss the problem.
At the meeting police said one teen has been arrested, but they believe the fire he's accused of setting was an isolated case and they're still looking for at least two more people.
Every neighbor Channel 4 Action News' Ari Hait spoke to said they are living in fear now.
"It's really a shame that people have to leave because it's arson. And it's any time: 7:30 in the morning. 5:30 in the morning. It's scary," said Ruth Neth.
"Nobody is going to be able to sleep comfortably at night because of the arsons," said Jerry Neth.
So far, no one has been hurt in the fires, but investigators said that's been pure luck, and that they're afraid their luck will run out if they don't stop the arsons soon.
Copyright 2009 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
