WAPELLO, Iowa (AP) -- The owners of three fire-damaged buildings have a few days to demolish the structures or face criminal prosecution.
City Councilor Jack Dotson warned that he would offer a motion to prosecute the owners under the city's dangerous building ordinance, which gives owners 90 days to demolish buildings once they receive official notice, if action wasn't taken soon.
The city issued notice on the three buildings on March 15, meaning the 90-day period expired Tuesday. The fire, which also killed one person, occurred in January.
Last month, contractor Larry Roth said he had signed contracts to demolish the buildings but said he had to delay the work because he could not schedule an asbestos removal supervisor.
City Attorney Tim Wink has indicated he would wait until June 21 before filing any charges against the buildings' owners under the city ordinance.
Dotson acknowledged Wink was holding back to see what happens next week.
"He is waiting to see if the club hits the wall,'' he said.
Information from: Muscatine Journal
