Reply #24: Another article...

[melnjones]

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/story.asp?id=12659

City takes action on abandoned homes
By LISA ALLEN

Manuel Diaz and his family were sitting on their front porch one summer evening when they couldn’t believe what they saw.

“We watched him set the house across the street on fire,” Diaz said. The man they watched later died before he was convicted of torching the abandoned house in Anderson.

Diaz declined to give more details, saying he suffered some repercussions from telling the police what he saw. He chased away someone who was pouring gasoline on Diaz’ garage.

But he’s adamant about one thing.

“Abandoned properties bring in the big game of arsonists, thieves and druggies,” he said.

City officials agree.
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