BURRILLVILLE – Town officials are demanding that the owner of a long blighted property in Pascoag take action and demolish the structure, pointing to multiple violations of both local and state standards, including fire hazard and a roof in danger of collapsing.
Zoning Official / Building Inspector Steve Detonnancourt issued the latest notice of violation for the property at 21-23 Rock Ave. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, noting the lot in its current state is creating “a serious life safety issue for the abutters, local residents and public safety workers that would respond to the property in the event of an emergency.”
The property, owned by Robert O’Rourke was condemned last February due to conditions that include clapboard that is unpainted, deteriorating and in some parts detached from the structure; an aluminum chimney hanging precariously above a wall that appears to have a gaping hole; and a back wall showing signs that it’s beginning to collapse, according to the notice. The roof contains multiple holes and is in danger of collapsing inward and “there are multiple holes in the eaves which, in the event of a fire, can rapidly spread a fire,” it notes.
“Over the last ten months you have not shown any effort to clean the property,” the letter notes, giving O’Rourke 30 days to rectify the issue under threat of a municipal court summons.
According to town property records, the two-story duplex was deeded to O’Rourke, who lived in Central Falls at the time, in 1982. A lien on the property for $5,304 in past due fire and real estate taxes was sold at a tax sale in June of 2024, but the lot was later redeemed.
Pascoag Fire Chief Michael Dexter raised concerns with the property last year noting conditions “would pose an extreme life safety problem to any residents that are currently living within the property.”
“If the occupants have any type of medical problem and requires EMS for any type of emergency, there may be some structural issues in the property which hinders the crew in moving the patient out of the building,” Dexter noted.
This week, on Friday, Dec. 27, more than a month since the most recent notice was sent to the property owner, there were no signs of work or any changes at the Pascoag lot. It was unclear if the structure was home to any occupants, but debris visible in the front yard included several garbage cans, a truck and various equipment.
Detonnancourt noted that if issues are not rectified within the allotted time frame, the town will complete the work including demolition, and place a lien on the property to include the cost of clean up and disposal fees.
