Niagara Falls struggles with abandoned, asbestos-ridden homes
In Niagara Falls, New York, one in five homes is abandoned. In some areas, half of the homes sit empty. These empty houses become targets for arsonists. Fifteen percent of the city’s building fires are set by arsonists. Fires in these derelict buildings put firefighters at right, increase response time for other emergencies and create a risk of environmental exposures to toxins like asbestos.
Millions of dollars have already been spent to demolish and clear these abandoned buildings, but the process is very expensive—about $25,000 per home—because asbestos and other toxic substances must be removed first.
For the full story, go to the Buffalo News.
