ROCHESTER, N.Y. – A vacant home on Wilkins Street in Rochester was demolished after being severely damaged by multiple fires in June.
Rev. Angela Bamford, a neighbor, expressed frustration over the city’s response, saying, “We are human, okay and we deserve better than this. We don’t deserve to have to live like this. We don’t deserve to have to call time and time and time again,” Bamford said.
City officials issued a statement saying:
“The City issued a three-day emergency demolition order on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, after the property caught on fire. All deadlines for contesting that order had passed, and the City began scheduling the demolition. Although it was scheduled for Tuesday, recent damage to the front porch further compromised the structure, leading to a decision to have the contractor demolish the property today.“
Bamford starting reaching out to the city more than one month ago. “They told me it was going to take three to four days from the city. That was the letter that they sent back. That was weeks ago,” Bamford said.
Friday afternoon, the house was reduced to a pile of debris as the city used a bulldozer for demolition. Bamford watched the process, saying, “I feel so much better.”
News10NBC’s Kristi Blake: Do you think if you hadn’t called anything would have been done?
Rev. Angela Bamford: Nothing would have happened. They wouldn’t have done nothing.
Bamford remained upset about the need to push the city into action. “It should not have taken these fires and a collapse to get something done. This isn’t just about a fire. It’s about silence. It’s about public health. It’s about what’s not being done,” Bamford said.
The debris is now covered with a tarp until it can be removed. There are signs posted warning those nearby the home was contaminated with asbestos.
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