Sunday, a house located at 808 E. Lincoln Highway, stood with severe damage from a December fire. By Monday, it was a pile of rubble.

Johnny James, owner of Johnny James Excavating, 421 S. 10th Street, started the demolition process Monday.

“The owner called me about six weeks ago shortly after the fire,” James said.

There were several reasons tearing down the house didn’t start until Monday, including confirmation from the Environmental Protection Agency, James said.

“We had to wait for the electric and gas company to shut down power to the house,” James said. “We also had to wait for a letter from the EPA telling us it was safe to demolish.” James said the electric company shut off power shortly after the fire, but it was the gas company he waited the longest for to shut down service.

“If all goes as planned, I hope to be done by Friday or Saturday at the latest,” James said.

Debbie J. Bute was charged with aggravated arson in the case of the Dec. 4 fire when she allegedly set a bed on fire after a domestic dispute.

According to Chapter 24 of the DeKalb Municipal Code, a permit is required in order for any demolition to occur.

Rick Monas, director of Department of Public Works, said demolition was the only option the owner had.

“The damage the fire left made it nearly impossible to repair,” Monas said. “You can’t leave an unsafe structure standing.” Carol Bradley, 19, was one of the tenants living in the house before the fire.

Bradley said her and her roommates are now renting a place just down the street from the house.

She said the owner was planning on rebuilding, but said she doesn’t plan on moving back in.