Residents urge demolition of Tampere’s abandoned houses

Residents of Järvensivu in Tampere are calling for the demolition of abandoned houses in the neighbourhood after one of them was destroyed by fire on Wednesday, Yle reports. Locals say the buildings pose a safety risk and have been used for drug consumption.

Resident Saara Seppä said the houses had effectively been used as drug consumption rooms for several years. Järvensivu is home to many families with children, she said, adding that residents had warned children to stay away because of the risk of unpredictable behaviour and collapsing structures.

Four abandoned houses remain standing in the neighbourhood after Wednesday’s fire. Seppä said residents hoped the City of Tampere would cooperate in removing them.

The houses stand on privately owned land, Seppä said, and residents’ ability to intervene was limited by property rights. They can submit safety reports, she said, but cannot be sure what action will follow.

Antti Puisto, who owns the house destroyed by the fire as well as a neighbouring abandoned house, said demolition permits had been obtained. He estimated that demolishing the two properties would cost 60,000 euros.

Puisto said he had repeatedly called the police to remove people occupying the houses. He criticised the police for telling him to submit a request for action and pay the resulting costs. The demolition of the burned house is planned, but no exact date has been set.

Arto Julkunen, who lives next door, said there had recently been considerable activity in the burned house. He said the latest person staying there had stolen laundry, prompting the neighbours to call the police and file a crime report.

Wednesday’s fire caused no injuries. Police are investigating it as aggravated criminal damage, and a middle-aged man has been detained on suspicion of involvement.