Fire destroys Davenport home

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By Brian Wellner and Ann McGlynn | Wednesday, October 8, 2008 11:44 PM CDT | () comments

A Davenport fire fighter sits on the ledge of a second story window while battling a house fire at 1409 Christie St. early this morning. (John Schultz/Quad-City Times) Buy this Photo

A fire destroys this house at 1409 Christie St. early this morning. (John Schultz/Quad-City Times) Buy this Photo

A fire ripped through a small, two-story Davenport home in the 1400 block of Christie Street early Wednesday.

Fire Chief Mark Frese said the fire is under investigation but wouldn’t elaborate.

Davenport fire officials on the scene said no one was injured and were unsure if anyone is living in the house.

Firefighters were able to get to the fire via a gravel alleyway behind the house, as a downed power line and steep incline made access from Christie Street difficult, District Chief Neil Gainey said.

A neighbor across the street called in the fire after smelling smoke around 12:30 a.m., Gainey said.

“When the first company got here, they discovered a pretty heavily burning house,” Gainey said. The house was “very well engulfed” in flames.

It took firefighters about 15 minutes to extinguish the blaze, District Chief Paul Hartman said. He said a cause has not been determined.

Gainey said the house will likely be considered a total loss.

Davenport police blocked off Christie Street from Kirkwood Boulevard to Locust Street as MidAmerican Energy was called out to investigate the downed power line.

Records show history of problems

The house at 1409 Christie St. is owned by Berthyl Holdings. John Fahs of Davenport oversees the company, which owns a handful of problem properties in Davenport, including 1409 Christie.

The first letter in the city’s file about 1409 Christie St. was from August 1993. Roy Scott owned the property, which had a significant number of problems, from electrical to floor coverings, to paint and chimney.

A May 2001 letter cites problems with the electrical service, deterioration of the roof overhang and wall covering. “No progress, conditions have worsened,” the file indicates.

In May 2004, Fahs had purchased the property and sold it on contract to Candice Vernon and Michael Walker. The contract failed.

He again sold it on contract to Gwendolyn Skipper in October 2007. But the utilities were off in November 2007. City records reviewed in August 2008 indicated the property was vacant and without utilities.

Another property connected to Fahs, 818 W. 14th St., was shuttered by city officials after a police raid. Officials found more than 20 people inside, as well as a severe electrical problem that prompted the city to order it vacated. The house, with a long history of problems as well, remains boarded. It was being sold, again on contract, to Bessie Brown, also known as Bessie Howard.

Other problem properties owned by Berthyl Holdings include 2029 Pershing and 924 W. 6th St. Both were sold on contract. Both are in severe disrepair.

Once a property is sold on a contract — a cross between renting and owning — city officials can inspect only when there is a complaint. However, with rental properties, the city conducts routine inspections.

Fahs could not be reached for comment.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.