News

Plum Island home falls into ocean, several others threatened

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – The winter storm battering Massachusetts shorelines has ripped a home off its foundation on Plum Island, a barrier island on the state's northeast coast, and threatens others nearby.

IMAGES: Home collapses on Plum Island

The home located at 41 Annapolis Way collapsed Friday morning shortly after the storm's third high tide. No one was in the home at the time, and the utilities had already been disconnected.

The homeowner, 66-year-old Stephen Bandoian, is currently in Florida. He joined the FOX 25 Morning News Friday and said he's been concerned about his home for a while and had been working with engineers to see what could be done to protect it. Bandoian has owned the home for more than 30 years.

"The pictures are very sad," said Bandoian. "That's a house I've owned for a while. There's a lot of memories in that house, a lot of good times, a lot of friends. It just can't be ignored."

Some of the items from the home's kitchen, including a refrigerator, were scattered along the beach and were being hit by ocean waves.

Bandoian said he is not sure what happens next and is quite saddened because his son was born there and grew up in the home. The home is literally home to so many summer memories.

"It's all gone now," Bandoian said.

Bandoian's home was among seven that were deemed structurally unstable after the Blizzard of 2013. Sand bags and other measures were taken to protect the homes that had been propped up on stilts, but the waves still managed to crash below the homes causing further damage.

Sam Joslin, Building Commissioner for the Town of Newbury which includes the neighborhood, says two homes on either side will be taken down Saturday. He said officials plan to remove them before they fall into the ocean, where the debris could wash back ashore.

IMAGES: Home collapses on Plum Island

Joslin said three other homes are "structurally compromised" and a total of 12 have been condemned by building inspectors.