Authorities said a date has not yet been selected for the demolition of two East Haven homes hit by a plane Aug. 9, and it could take up for a month for it to happen.
According to East Haven Asst. Fire Chief Chuck Licata, three insurance companies – one for each of the homes and one for the plane – will need to work out logistics before the building inspector can issue a demolition permit.
Licata said that while this could take as long as a month, he expects it to be done sooner.
East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. issued the following statement Friday afternoon:
"The Town of East Haven is working diligently with all of the insurance companies involved to ensure that the two damaged homes are demolished safely and expeditiously. All indications are that the homeowners’ insurance companies are seeking to have the properties demolished and remediated by the middle of next week.
"The Town understands that the homes are a painful reminder of this tragedy and that their demolition is a critical first step in the healing process for the families and for the neighborhood as a whole. As a result, the Mayor has been in contact with State officials and DEEP and is prepared to use the Town’s authority to take down the homes if they are not demolished in a timely fashion.
"In the coming days, the Town will continue to do all that it can to facilitate the speedy demolition of these properties so that the affected families and the neighborhood can begin to move on from this heartbreaking tragedy.”
The homes, at 64 and 68 Charter Oak Avenue, are secured with a fence, with limited access and escorted entry.
Family members stopped by on Tuesday to gather their belongings. The pilot's brother visited the site Monday, Licata said.
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A twin-engine plane crashed into the homes just before 11:30 a.m. last Friday.
Four people died, including pilot William Henningsgard and his 17-year-old son, Maxwell, and two children who lived at one of the homes, Sade Brantley,13, and Madisyn Mitchell.
The children's mother made it out safely.
East Haven community members came together to remember the victims at a vigil Sunday.
