Notorious Former Crack House Severely Fire Damaged Tonight...(Summer Visitation 2009)

Photo By John Hoff

The former crack house at 3020 6th St. N., recently vacated and boarded, was damaged by fire tonight. According to one fireman and one high-ranking fire department official at the scene, the cause of the blaze was unknown. (This according to my 12-year-old son, Alex, who was delegated the task of asking pertinent questions) This property has been the subject of extensive coverage here on Johnny Northside dot com.

From the sidewalk, it appeared the worst part of the fire was a second story bedroom on the south side of the building...

Extensive smoke and fire damage was obvious, as was water damage. Numerous windows were smashed out by firemen. The house was already suspected to be in bad condition, but it was hoped the property would soon hit the real estate market and might be purchased for the purpose of becoming a neighborhood success story.

Notably, something very much like this incident was predicted. There had even been informal talk among a few neighbors of having a "fire watch" after the no-account druggies were evicted, out of fear some crack head would simply burn the house down out of spite.

A Hmong family living next door were observed to be virtually camping out on the lawn of 3016 6th St. N., the house formerly owned by yours truly. Neighborhood housing director Jeff Skrenes was contacted in Northfield, Minnesota, where he went for the weekend. Skrenes said he would have the Hmong liaison contact the family next door tomorrow, and would do what was necessary to clarify and expedite the fate of the structure at 3020 6th St. N.

More photos to follow.