UPDATE: Abandoned Home Demolished After Fire

An abandoned home at the corner of East Avenue and the Northville Turnpike was knocked to the ground after a fire was reported at the home Saturday morning.

Fire Marshal Dave Andruszkiewicz said the structure was unsafe to be allowed to remain standing, and as such the town's Highway Department was called in shortly before 1 p.m. to knock it down.

Andruszkiewicz said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, though Assistant Chief Tony White said he suspected that squatters had started the fire.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters responded to the home - which is said to have been unoccupied for close to 10 years, said a neighbor, and is located within a stones' throw from department headquarters - shortly before 9:00 a.m. Plywood covering the boarded up windows was removed on the top floors to allow smoke to escape, though no flames were visible.

Andruszkiewicz said he was unsure who owned the home, though as a code enforcement officer he has the authority to demand a home demolished if it is considered a threat to public safety. He said it may be owned by Suffolk County.