ELMHURST — Demolition of a historic home gutted last year by two fires has been halted after officials found workers had improperly removed asbestos inside, warning that continued work "poses a threat to human safety."
The former 1700s farmhouse at 90-11 56th Ave. first caught fire the morning of Sept. 4, 2015, after the home had been purchased a month before by developers. That fire was caused by squatters living inside, according to the FDNY.
Another fire four days later, which damaged the home more seriously, was ruled "incendiary" by the FDNY, who did not provide further details.
Permits were filed this summer to demolish the building in August, but the Department of Environmental Protection halted it after an inspection on Aug. 17 found improper asbestos removal, according to the violation.
The work "poses a threat to human safety," the notice said, adding that the DEP will only lift the violation after "a written scope of work is received and approved" by the agency.
Part of the home had already been demolished before the violation was issued.
Reached by phone, one of the site's owners — listed as Tu Kang Yang — said work would resume once the violation was lifted, but she declined to answer any further questions.
Neighbors fought to save the historic home before and after the fire, but the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted against landmarking it.
