This morning the borough fire chief is supposed to investigate the publicly stated allegations that residents and owners of 200 Locust Street have had their emergency escape route blocked by the barricades set up to protect the public from a possible structural collapse at 208 Locust Street.

At last night’s council of the whole meeting several citizens provided observations about the unsafe conditions at the 208 Locust Street property.The fire chief will relate his findings and recommendations to the interim borough manager this morning.

208 Locust Street is owned by an out-of-town landlord who who’s been cited by the borough for this and other property violations.

The owners of the business next door have been adversely impacted financially; the blocking of their emergency escape route from their second floor “above the store” residence is reprehensible.