A Binghamton apartment house that was the scene of a drug raid, suspicious fire and two serious assaults in a span of about 60 hours remains vacant.

The three-story brick building at 129 Susquehanna Street was condemned by the city code enforcement office after last week's early-morning blaze that left a dozen people homeless.

A bulk trash container sits outside the fire-damaged apartment house. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A bulk trash container sits outside the fire-damaged apartment house. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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The property was purchased last December by a New Jersey man. The owner, Pinchos Yurowitz, has not returned phone calls seeking comment. A man who answered at a phone number listed for Yurowitz hung up after a reporter identified himself.

Signs posted on the apartment house indicate it has been condemned because it is "unfit for human habitation."

An official notice detailed problems found by a city inspector in the Susquehanna Street building. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
An official notice detailed problems found by a city inspector in the Susquehanna Street building. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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According to a city-issued notice, the building sprinkler system is not operational. It also indicated "multiple smoke alarms missing or inoperable" in the house.

Five people were arrested in an October 23 drug raid at the building and a neighboring apartment house. Two days later, a possible arson fire damaged the structure. Several hours later, two men were injured in a pair of apparently unrelated assaults.

Mayor Richard David held a news conference at the site in December 2016 to announce the city had condemned the building because of dangerous conditions. He said residents had been living in "true squalor."

Binghamton firefighters extinguished a blaze at 129 Susquehanna Street on October 25, 2018. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
Binghamton firefighters extinguished a blaze at 129 Susquehanna Street on October 25, 2018. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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