Detroit, Michigan, March 12, 2009. In East Detroit, Sigmunt John Szczepkowski Jr. watches as the abandoned home next to his house burns. His home was damaged in the fire as well. The owner of the burning house abandoned it while owing $16k in back taxes. Squatters moved in, selling drugs and having dog fights until they moved out and torched the house. Firefighters try to save neighboring houses which are still occupied while fighting the fire in the abandoned houses. (information on the house's history was provided by Sigmunt John Szczepkowski Jr., who is also running for city council trying to clean up the streets).
© 2009, Aaron Lee Fineman | 3/24/09