Crews cont demo work on former multi- million $ house on casitas Ave in SF. Hillside sliding 5 others affected pic.twitter.com/ocrsmUWoT5
— Janet O (@JanetONews) January 29, 2016
This morning a house near Mt. Davidson in San Francisco is being demolished by city order due to fears it would slide down its hillside site and damage neighboring homes. KTVU News reports that the house was purchased about three months ago for $2 million. The new owners were not living there, and they were reportedly planning a major remodel. After a neighbor noticed a large crack in the home's driveway, demolition started much earlier than expected.
Homeowner said it was his dream house . Family planned to do renovations . He will figure out if he can rebuild pic.twitter.com/muQdncmuA0
— Janet O (@JanetONews) January 29, 2016
News stations on the scene report the demolition will continue throughout the day on the home in the 200 block of Casitas Avenue. KTVU news says it's not known what caused the home to start sliding down the hill, but a neighbor spotted a rapidly growing split in the driveway yesterday while walking her dog.
Crews expect to be here all day tore through first floor two more down below to demolish pic.twitter.com/2z4XAcGDh9
— Janet O (@JanetONews) January 29, 2016
William Strawn, a communications official with the city's Department of Building Inspection, told KTVU reporters that the city ordered the house razed because of its rapid slide and due to concerns about winter storms coming through this weekend.
Ron Martell bought #SF home in Oct. Says no use in being angry,safety top priority. Crews exp. to finish demo today. pic.twitter.com/n71v3cWfyZ
— Stephanie Chuang (@StephChuang) January 29, 2016
In an interview with NBC Bay Area, the owner said he wasn't angry, just concerned about safety. The city reportedly has asked neighboring houses to be inspected by engineers within 48 hours to assess structural stability.
Crews setting plates so they can finish demolishing #SF home on Casitas Ave. #Rain has picked up a little. pic.twitter.com/vWJk2EULRk
— Stephanie Chuang (@StephChuang) January 29, 2016
According to KTVU, the homeowners will be allowed to rebuild if the site can be stabilized.
· $2 Million SF House Being Torn Down, Due to Sliding Threat to Other Homes [KTVU]
· Sliding House Torn Down in San Francisco [NBC Bay Area]
· Sliding Multimillion DOLLAR San Francisco Home Demolished [ABC7News]