Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, but neighbors blame squatters for the blaze.Norman added neighbors had seen homeless people in and out of the vacant property for months.Norman called the police in the past but wants a more permanent solution.According to the city's Building and Zoning Department, the vacant home had been on their radar from previous fires in 20-21 and 20-22.
Property owners will now be hearing from the county's environmental court due to long-standing code violations. Carla Williams-Scott, the director of the Department of Neighborhoods, urges homeowners to use the 311 hotline. "I would encourage residents if there's an issue with a vacant structure in your community, please call 311. 614-645-3111, and you can report it," she said.Property owners are expected in court to answer to some of the problems later this month.