Houses demolished on Chestnut Street in Lewes

Two Chestnut Street homes in Lewes, marked for condemnation by the city's building inspector earlier this year, have been razed. All that remains on the property are dirt and an orange construction fence to keep people out of the site.

Building Inspector Henry Baynum says the family hired its own contractor to do the work. The only tasks remaining, he said, are to grade and seed the properties.

Baynum had received complaints from neighbors, prompting inspections at the homes. The Chestnut Street homes, sitting on adjacent properties, were occupied until Baynum's notices were placed on them in June. Due to their poor condition, the homes were deemed unsafe for human occupancy; those living in the homes were required to vacate within 72 hours.

After the occupants were evicted, the city boarded the windows. While unsightly, Baynum said, officials must take that action because Lewes would have been liable for everything inside the home.