Shelby Fire Department burned one of the vacant houses at 207 Suttle St. last Thursday afternoon and plan to burn another one today at 211 Suttle St. The houses had to meet certain standards in order to be considered for training, Whisnant said. Out of 20 houses a year that are requested to be burned, only about four usually meet the standards. The approval process, described by Whisnant, can take up to two to three months. The buildings to be burned must meet state and city standards for safety.
Officials test the homes for safety hazards such as asbestos.
The burning of the problem houses was a collaborative effort by the Mayor's Crime Task Force, the Shelby Police Department and the Shelby Fire Department. Shelby Police Chief Charlie VanHoy, member of the Mayor's Crime Task Force, said that the owner of the houses, David White, wants the homes to be burned for the good of the city. White has been buying up much of the properties around the area and having them destroyed. White said he was aware that people took drugs and drank at the vacant homes when he bought the property six months ago and knew he had to have the homes destroyed. I attend First Baptist Church and we have had a rash of car break-ins and purse snatchings.