Nesquehoning officials are hoping that four burned-out properties will soon be torn down.

During council’s May meeting, officials asked a contractor who would do the demolition, what the status is for tearing down the four buildings on the 200 block of West Catawissa Street. Those buildings all burned during a fast-moving fire this past Christmas.

Council previously put barricades in front of the structures to stop people from walking on the sidewalks in front of the buildings because it was a safety hazard.

Mike Radocha of Radocha Excavating said that from the discussions he has had with owners, the first house by Turkey Hill got its insurance money. The other half of that double structure is ready to go as well, he said.

Escrow accounts have been set up with the borough on that.

The problem lies with the fourth home, which cannot stand alone once the third home, where the fire originated, is demolished.

The owner of the fourth property did not have insurance and the borough has yet to receive a definite answer regarding a demolition on that building as the owner continues to stall regarding submitting a report.

“That third house cannot be torn down with that one standing,” Radocha said. “They’re both connected.”

As of Sunday, demolition on these structures have not started and no time frame has been announced.

“At some point, this has to end,” Councilman Paul Kattner said. “This can become a collapsing hazard. I understand this takes time, but this needs to get done already.”

Council President Bruce Nalesnik said that the borough is doing everything it can on its end.

“There are four different entities and four different owners, three different insurance companies,” he said. “One’s not insured. It will get done.”

With regards of the fourth uninsured property, council said that they can’t continue to wait for this structural safety report because things are going to collapse.

“The fire was in December,” Councilwoman Sue Smith said.

“We requested reports and now it is June. One has to be produced.

Council agreed that if it comes down to it, it will have to issue an emergency demolition order for the fourth structure and then put a lien on the property.