Update on Properties Impacted by March 13 Fire on 500 block North Plum Street

At this time, City of Lancaster Fire Marshals have been unable to determine the cause of the fire that impacted a row of adjoining privately owned row homes on the 500 block of N. Plum St.; an investigation is ongoing.  

There were reports of people in and out of the privately owned properties before the March 13 fire. Between March 4 and 7 the City received reports of trespassers, and that one of the fences the City had erected to secure the property had been cut. City officials investigated and began processes to repair the fencing and board up broken windows. On March 9, officials confirmed there were no trespassers present and repaired the fencing surrounding the property.  On March 13 at 5:45 p.m., a contractor was on site to complete the boarding up of properties, when smoke was seen emanating from one of the condemned dwellings and called 911. As stated above, an investigation is ongoing. 

After the fire, the City of Lancaster’s chief building code official worked with an engineering firm to evaluate the safety of the buildings on the block and determined that eight of the properties were in imminent danger of collapse and must be demolished as soon as possible. The City is working with a contractor to demolish the structures at 521-535 N. Plum St., which began Tuesday. The two end properties, 537 and 539 N. Plum St., are not in danger of collapse, and will not be demolished. Prior to the demolition, all property owners were given notice of this action in writing. 

Following demolition, the contractor will plant grass on the vacant lots. Current property owners will retain ownership of their lots and following completion of demolition work and removal of fencing, owners will be responsible for maintaining their properties according to City ordinance. Should private property owners choose to redevelop these properties, they will be required to go through all standard City approval processes.

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