Posted at: 02/03/2012 7:31 PM
By: Gordon Severson
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Email to a FriendHome in Rochester So Dirty it Gets Condemned
(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Six people are out of their home after its deemed unbelievable.
Inspectors say they found bed bugs, cockroaches and big piles of garbage.
Inspectors say they found bed bugs, cockroaches and big piles of garbage.
Officials say it all started with a phone call from one of the people living inside the home, reporting signs of smoke and a strange odor.
When fire fighters arrived on scene they didn't fine a fire, but shocking living conditions.
"This really was an accident waiting," Housing Inspection Manager Susan LeGare-Golden says.
It's not exactly the worst she's ever seen, but it's close.
On a scale from 1-10, Golden says it's definitely a 10.
"It should have held only 5 unrelated occupants. As you can see, there may be double that," Golden explains.
Many of them were sleeping in rooms that break dozens of violations.
Including a room in the basement where a 13-year-old slept.
"There's absolutely no egress window down here. That person would perish in case of a fire," Golden explains.
Inside the floors were covered with food, bed bugs, and garbage.
During their inspection officials also discovered hundreds of fully-filled garbage bags piled up in the yard.
"We try and work with building safety where we come into cases like this," Assistant Fire Marshall Larry Mueller says.
Fire fighters are calling the whole situation a lucky break.
Luckily they were able to get people out of the home before anyone got hurt or killed.
And it all started with a call about strange odor.
"They were cooking a mixture of black beans and red crushed pepper in the back hallway. It smoked it up, she left it unattended," Mueller explains.
On scene fire fighters found six individuals. Two of them were treated for smoke inhalation.
Minutes later building safety arrived, and rendered the home uninhabitable for humans.
They won't allow anyone to live in the home until it is cleaned and corrected for violations.
"It's absolutely deplorable living conditions within this property," Golden says.
The Red Cross is helping a few residents with temporary living arrangements.
Others are staying with relatives.
Officials plan to meet with the owner Monday morning to discuss some of the changes that need to be made.
