LOWELL, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The concrete retaining wall that used to be on a property above Crosby Street in is now almost in another home's backyard, just feet from the house.
That means the only thing separating the family that lives there from disaster is a rotten tree.
A red sign announces the danger before its seen. "UNSAFE," the sign reads, warning that entering the property could cause injury or damage.
"That wall is going to fall on my parents' house, and perhaps cause some fatalities," said Vernon Smith, son of the people who live there.
Mobile app users, click here to view the photo gallery.
In October, a retaining wall behind a home came crashing down into the backyards of at least two homes on Crosby Street. Now, the mass of concrete estimated to weigh at least a ton is dangerously close to continuing its downward path.
"If this wall comes completely down its gonna tear up this barn here, plus in my house, plus I got my kitchen," said homeowner John Smith. "I got gas in there."
The fix is expensive -- possibly tens of thousands of dollars. Not one insurance company of any of the homeowners is willing to cover that cost.
While this is a private property dispute, city leaders say they've stepped in hoping to encourage a resolution with one of the insurance companies.
"It really has to come from the insurance company. Most specifically the insurance company for the property who owns the retaining wall," said Eric Slagle, director of the city's development services department. "At least one of the houses has been declared dangerous and unsafe and its currently vacant."
But that notice is posted on both homes, and Smith still lives there. He says he has no where else to go.
City leaders said the wall was likely built before stringent building regulations were put in place.
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
