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In TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA), residents of a Palm Harbor community are demanding explanations regarding a home that was engulfed in flames back in December 2024. Since then, the property has been a blemish on the neighborhood, and locals argue that Pinellas County’s code enforcement has fallen short in resolving the situation.
Frustrated, they reached out to Better Call Behnken in hopes of finding some clarity.
This residence, situated on Embassy Circle, has been left in a state of disrepair since the incident. Neighbors report the structure’s condition has only worsened over time.
Keith Heitzman, who lives nearby, recounted the day of the fire.
“We were just leaving our driveway when we saw it. Flames were shooting out, and eventually, several fire trucks arrived. Since then, it’s been covered with multiple tarps, at least two of which have been replaced, and now it’s just decaying,” Heitzman explained.
“The rain is going through there, it’s got to have mold. There is a sign on the front window there that says it is condemned,” he said.
County Code Enforcement officially condemned the home and gave the owners until July 2025 to obtain a permit to either repair or demolish it. However, the home still sits with no visible activity.
Code enforcement officials said the county is moving forward with enforcement actions and preparing for a special magistrate hearing within the next 30 to 60 days.
The property owners could not be reached for comment, but a county spokesman said code enforcement has been in contact with their lawyer.