Demolition Of Fire-Damaged Binghamton Building Delayed

Crews prepared to tear down the remains of a fire-ravaged Binghamton structure were sent home after waiting at the site for hours.

Mayor Richard David this morning announced that demolition of the former All Around Building Supplies complex on Brown Street would begin today.

The start of work was delayed to allow property owner James Spear to retrieve items at the site.

City officials expect the demolition will cost more than $41,000. They intend to add that expense to the property's tax bill.

Neighborhood residents gathered across the street, preparing to watch the demolition activity.

Workers with Gorick Construction Company of Binghamton waited until about 2 p.m. before they began to remove equipment from the site.

The crews were expected to return Friday morning to start removing the fire-damaged building shell. The demolition work is expected to take about two days to complete.

The abandoned building was heavily damaged by fire June 9. It was the latest in a string of arson blazes at the site.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the fires but no arrests have been made.