Pottery Chatroom Board

IRENE I haven't heard of any such things here, but Poughkeepsie certainly has an old section with houses that have been abandoned for one reason or another. Even the "historic" section with some lovely old Victorian houses, has an empty one here and there. With old houses built so close together it could easily cause a catastrophe in the downtown area. Or probably anywhere.
That fire two weeks ago where the three college kids were killed, is an example. The houses on each side were also badly damaged, but the fire crews got there quickly.
Drugs could easily be a factor, or squatters, homeless people with no shelter breaking into vacant houses. Or it could be intentional, someone whose property is "underwater" and thinks the insurance may save the day.
In any case, six incidents in one town is really scary. You stay safe.