A Richland, PA based demolition contractor was faulted by the city of Pittsburgh for tearing down a Sheraden home that was the subject of a court-ordered reprieve.

The city hired P.J. Deller Excavating and Hauling in October to raze 3222 Motor St. and 3224 Motor St., both of which were condemned, Chief Building Inspector John Jennings said Wednesday.

But when the owner of the latter house went to Allegheny County Common Pleas Court and got a six-month stay, the city told the contractor, verbally and in a letter, not to take it down. The stay, dated Nov. 3, gave the owner six months to get a building permit and repair unsafe conditions.

Last week, though, the demolition firm flattened both houses. A manager at Deller "admits that he forgot the do-not-demolish order," said Mr. Jennings.