Selden zombie home vacant for 8 years is razed

A Selden house that had been vacant for eight years and was described as an “eyesore” by a Brookhaven Town official has been demolished.

The two-story home on Awixa Place had been cited for numerous building code violations and had drawn complaints from neighbors, Brookhaven officials said in a news release. It was torn down Sept. 19.

A photograph released by town officials showed the house had been boarded up. The photo also shows gutters and siding peeling off the house.

“This house had been a dangerous eyesore in a very nice neighborhood with well-kept homes and has negatively impacted property values of every house nearby,” Councilman Kevin LaValle said in a statement. “Thanks to the assistance of the town’s Law Department, this is the sixth demolition in my council district, and I will continue to do everything I can to rid the community of these zombie houses.”

The costs of demolishing the house and removing debris will be added to the property owner’s tax bill, officials said.