The Village of Baxter Estates’ building inspector and an independent engineer have determined that the fire that ripped through the historic Baxter House last Sunday has left the house structurally unsound and recommended it be demolished, the village reported in an e-mail to residents.
“Based on my observations, along with my knowledge of the structure from the previous structural condition survey, it is my professional opinion that the building should be demolished down to the foundation,” said Dean Koutsoubis, a structural engineer from Koutsoubis Alonso Associates.
Koutsoubis and village’s Building Inspector Joseph Saladino were forced to conduct their evaluation of the home on Wednesday from a distance because access to the home was blocked by a six-foot chain-link fence erected by the home’s owner, Sabrina Wu.
Because the assessment was conducted from outside the property’s fence, Koutsoubis said, it “is by no means comprehensive.”
“However, based on my observations from the exterior, my knowledge of the building’s construction and my experience with similar situations, my opinions are made with a reasonable degree of engineering certainty,” Koutsoubis said.
Village officials said the village has not received an application from Wu to demolish the home, which is located at 15 Shore Road.
But, they said, her lawyer, A. Thomas Levin, sent a letter to the village expressing Wu’s intent to demolish the home.
“Jurisdiction over requests for demolition of the structure remains in the village’s Landmarks Preservation Commission pursuant to the village’s Historic Preservation Law, unless there is danger that warrants emergency action by the village,” Village Clerk Chrissy Kiernan said in an email.
The home, which was built in the 1700s, was landmarked a historical building in 2005.
Kiernan said based on the building inspector’s report and the engineering report, “we do not believe that such an emergency situation now exists.”
The fire on Sunday, which burned for more than four hours before firefighters got it under control, caused significant damage to the north side of the house, the roof, interior and exterior.
The cause of the fire could not be determined, according to the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office.
Wu submitted an application to the Landmark’s Preservation Commission last month to demolish and rebuild the house. The landmarks commission is scheduled to review the application on March 1 at the Port Washington Public Library.
Prior to Thursday’s snowstorm, resident said they were concerned that the snow would cause more structural damage to the house and wanted Wu or an outside contractor to install plywood over the roof the house.
Saladino said if the snow was to cause portions of the house to collapse, the debris would likely fall within the interior of the house and within the fence.
Koutsoubis said plywood should not be installed on the roof because multiple rafters are missing and it would be difficult to attach the wood.
“Rather than stabilize the structure, the added weight of the plywood and any subsequent snow, will actually reduce stability and increase the likelihood of roof collapse,” Koutsoubis said. “And third, even if the building could be protected to prevent further damage or deterioration, my recommendation would still be to demolish the structure.”
The snowstorm did not cause more damage to the house, residents said.
Although residents asked about the possibility of the house’s chimneys falling due to strong winds, Koutsoubis said, they would most likely fall inward within the building “because it is the inward chimney support that is most compromised.”
If the chimney fell outward, it would fall within the fenced-off area, Koutsoubis said.
Long before the fire, residents and village officials have been vocal about the preservation of the house, condemning Wu for allowing the house deteriorate.
Chris Bain, president of the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society, said “it was allowed to decline with no one living there.”
“The owner didn’t take care of it,” he said.
Wu purchased the house in 2003 for $990,000 and the village landmarked the property in 2005 — a decision appealed by Wu.
The village issued Wu three Order to Remedy violations — the last of them coming recently for blue tarp that covered the home’s windows falling into neighbors’ yards.
Residents from Baxter Estates, Port Washington and all over Long Island have shown support for the home, repeatedly contacting the village, posting to a Facebook group “Save the Baxter House,” which has over 650 members and by signing a petition to save the home.
Koutsoubis said there are health and safety reasons for demolishing the home, too, noting the possibility of animals and trespassers entering.
