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MAYVILLE -- A property that has been the subject of numerous complaints of drug use and people living in temporary structures near Chautauqua Lake Central School has caught fire.
Shortly after midnight Wednesday, the Mayville Fire Department along with several mutual aid fire companies responded to a structure fire at 7127 Beaujean Road in the town of Chautauqua, just outside the Mayville village limits.
According to the Sheriff's Office, an investigation found that the fire was caused by a propane gas leak within a camper on the property. As a result of the fire, several campers and outbuildings were damaged and were a complete loss.
Throughout the summer and fall, residents have been attending the Chautauqua Town Board meetings, complaining about the property. There were allegations that the property was a "meth house" and that people were illegally burning trash and other toxic materials.
Neighbors said at the public meetings that there were between 15 and 30 people living on the property in the house and different campers. They also expressed concerns about septic use.
Sheriff's deputies had been called to the property numerous times regarding complaints of trespassing, drug use and noise violations.
The Chautauqua town attorney filed a Freedom Of Information request to receive the deputies' body cam footage, which was turned over to the town's code enforcement. Code officials were asked to look to see if they could condemn the property due to people staying in buildings that were not up to code.
Town Supervisor Don Emhardt said at one of the town board meetings that the electricity had been turned off due to lack of payment. However, he said, Social Services came in and was able to get the electricity turned back on.
Emhardt was one of the individuals who responded to the fire early Wednesday morning. He said the main house was not damaged, but one of the sheds that had people living in it was damaged and another camper had burned to the ground.
There's still a couple of campers on the property, along with a number of junk vehicles.
Emhardt said at least some of the people living on the property were relocated, but he said the people who live in the main house are still believed to be living there.
When asked about the town's investigation into possible code violations, Emhardt responded, "I'm not sure what I'm allowed to say, other than this place is definitely in violation."