Nesquehoning’s emergency management coordinator urged council to create a committee to handle cases where an emergency demolition is requested due to the unsafe conditions of a building that has burned.

On Thursday, John McArdle said that he sent a request for an emergency demolition of the home that burned on Yard Street early Wednesday morning. The reason was that the structure was no longer safe.

However, he also noted that Chip Stalega of Barry Isett, who serves as the borough’s code enforcement officer, issued an order of notice that gave the homeowner 30 days to do the demolition.

“I’m requesting an emergency demolition,” McArdle said. “Emergency as it needs to be done right away and it’s a safety issue.”

He added that there is a second floor washer and dryer sitting against one side of the building that has been significantly compromised by the fire.

“It’s very unsafe,” McArdle said. As of Monday morning, the structure still stands and the investigation is ongoing.

McArdle said he heard that the homeowner possibly had homeowner’s insurance, but they were still trying to determine the homeowner.

He then urged council to create a committee to handle these types of issues.

“This is the second time now that we’ve had to go through this,” McArdle said. “The last time we waited over 45 days. When you’re saying it’s an emergency but you’re waiting 45 days, what could happen in those 45 days?”

The borough’s last fire, which happened in April, destroyed two homes on the east end of Railroad Street. Those two homes were considered for an emergency demolition. Council originally left the decision to the homeowners before the demolitions occurred.