As flames ripped through a vacant home on Gordon Avenue, the family of the 15-year-old girl who was allegedly raped inside three weeks earlier stood by and watched.
The girl's grandmother spoke to us but did not want to be identified.
"I think this is another page in her life she can turn and feel just a little more secure that that house is no longer there and can't be a constant reminder to her," she said.
Fire broke out in the house Sunday evening. When the smoke cleared Monday morning, the chimney and some charred remains were all that was left behind.
For the victim's family, the major damage was done a few weeks ago.
"They were marked for demolition," said the grandmother. "They still have been standing here for months. Now I can't help but think this might not have happened to my granddaughter if these houses hadn't been standing here."
So far officials have no suspects. Campbell Detective Sgt. John Rusnak with the Campbell Police Department said the fire is still under investigation.
Campbell police said several crimes originate in these vacant structures.
"From people who run from the law and hide there," Rusnak said. "People who abuse drugs, and people who commit crimes such as the rape that we had."
But the city is working on eliminating the problem.
City officials said there are about 130 vacant homes in Campbell. They are waiting on grant money to be released from the county to start tearing them down.
"I want to see something done," said the grandmother. "I don't want to ever see this happen to another family."
