BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The empty lot on Covington Road in North Buffalo, newly cleared out after a house explosion April 19, is what's left over after an act beyond neighbors' control, but one they still have to pay for.

One house was destroyed on April 19 when its occupant blew it up in what police said was an attempted suicide. Two adjacent houses were badly damaged. One house was torn down, while the other homeowner has decided to rebuild.

Lou Petrucci, who heads Buffalo Department of Permits and Inspection Services, says even if it's no fault of your own, you're still responsible for the cost if demolition is required.

"The property owner is responsible for the cost of the demolition. So, often times what the city will do is make sure that they have insurance. If we demolish the properties, we charge a 15 percent surcharge," said Petrucci.    

That surcharge is on top of the base fee of $22,000 for the demolition. Petrucci says residents who don't or can't pay the fee could find themselves in court facing collections.

His advice to anyone who wants to contest the bill is to let your insurance company handle it.

“We will explain to the individuals that if you have your own home, you're going to make a claim, you're going to contact your insurance company, and you should let your insurance company know, so they will pursue the individual that damaged your home. They will go against that insurance company. At that point, it's insurance company against insurance company," said Petrucci.

City officials are still trying to determine whether the man whose home exploded, 73-year-old Santo Coke, has homeowner's insurance while he remains behind bars awaiting his next court date.