Demolition crews in hazmat suits have begun knocking down a notorious eyesore and public safety hazard in Lake Country.

An excavator this week dug into the abandoned and decrepit Airport Inn Lakeside along Highway 97 while workers sprayed water on the ruins, presumably in case fires erupted.

“The demolition is being done in a carefully controlled environment and members of the public are reminded to stay away from the site,” the town posted on its Facebook page.

News of the take-down brought cheers from townsfolk, who celebrated what they said was an overdue outcome in a long saga to clear the dilapidated buildings.

“Hallelujah!” one person said.

“Good riddance. A hazard and eyesore for years,” said another.

Once the property at the corner of Highway 97 and Petrie Road is cleaned up,

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