For Eric Zuspan and Terri Trickett, selling their home on Chicago Street in Fairmont hasn't been as easy as they thought. Abandoned Structures surround the home, one of which caught fire Thursday.

"There's rats that are a foot long," said Trickett. "They're eating the furniture, the floors are falling in, the ceiling is falling in, and it's terrible"

They say their end of Chicago Street has not seen the type of clean up efforts that other parts of the street have seen. And, according to them, demolishing the abandoned structures in nowhere on the city's to-do list.

"This street alone has had several new houses put on it," said Eric Zuspan. "They've gotten community action to replace porches and fix houses up, and towards the end of the street, it's like the program fell apart or something."

Fairmont Mayor Scott Sears says the city is very aware of the problem and says it's a problem that's been overlooked for many years. He also contends demolishing houses is not an easy process.

"The tough part about this is when you go to these dilapidated homes, you've got to track down and find out who the property owner is," said Sears. "You've got to try to get the title to the property... that's not an easy thing to do."

But, Sears says the city does have money to be used in demolishing abandoned structures, but right now council must decide the best way to use the money.

Eric Zuspan acknowledges the city has good intentions, but says he will urge council to take action as soon as possible.

Zuspan says he will bring the issue before council at its next meeting.