Coaldale Borough has filed a civil suit in Schuylkill County court against an absent property owner, claiming the structure is not fit for human occupancy, and is seeking court help to remedy the problem.

The suit is against Lisa M. O'Brien, of 38 Leisenring St., Lansford. According to the borough's code enforcement officer, the structure, located at 132 Ridge St., is in a state of disrepair and unfit for human occupancy, is unsafe and found to be dangerous to the health and safety to the general public.The suit alleges O'Brien removed herself from the property, leaving garbage and refuse which the borough was required to remove and that no action to date has been taken by O'Brein to abate the nuisance. The code officer said there were holes in the roof for which the borough spent $511.19 to repair because rain water was entering the house it became moldy. The borough also spent $1,200 to remove the garbage.The borough is asking the court to declare the structure a nuisance and dangerous and compel O'Brien to abate the nuisance or allow the borough to abate the nuisance if the defendant fails to do so. The borough also seeks a judgment for $1,711 and asked the court to prevent anyone from occupying the property until the condition is corrected.