House Suffers Partial Collapse In Ronkonkoma
RONKONKOMA, NY (WCBS 880) - The curious have been driving or walking to Second Court in Ronkonkoma, Long Island to see a two-story home that partially collapsed.
WCBS 880's Sophia Hall In Suffolk County
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The homes on that street are nicely kept, except this one.
You can see the insulation and a lot of garbage.
The roof is now on the ground and the town has condemned the home.
Neighbor Kathy Meyers says a man, who is 62-years-old, has lived in the home for years without running water and electricity and with raccoons.
"His pipes burst years ago. There was a frozen waterfall. The agencies keep coming and saying they can't legally make the guy leave his house," Meyers tells WCBS 880 reporter Sophia Hall. "It's overrun with rodents, obviously, overrun with garbage."
She says the man used a camping lamp for electricity.
"I think there's definitely a mental illness involved," says Meyers. "The weird thing is that he always seemed to be clean cut and showered."
The resident was not home when the collapse occurred, but was taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Islip town officials say they will demolish the structure.
