Row Home Crumbles During Rainstorm

Some residents of the North Philadelphia neighborhood, where a home partially collapsed Thursday afternoon, say they've filed complaints with the city about the abandoned home for years.

"I knew it was going to happen. It was just a matter of time," said Shamika King.

The row home along North 19th Street partially collapsed in the rear during today's rainstorm, startling neighbors who heard the crash.

"We heard the noise and that's when we opened up the door and saw the back room was off," said King.

Jacqueline Moody lives next door to the home and says the property has been abandoned for more than a decade.

"It concerns me a whole lot, because it's dangerous, it's hazardous," said Moody.

NBC10's Nefertiti Jaquez called Licenses and Inspections for the City of Philadelphia, who confirmed they inspected the home last July, a second time in the Fall and again yesterday, before deeming it unsafe.

After today's partial collapse, an L & I inspector came out and deemed the home dangerous and secured the back of the property.

L & I crews will be back out tomorrow to figure out when the back part of this home will be demolished.

The property owner, who is based in Chicago, has been sent a violation notice. 

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