A pile of rubble marks what used to be a two-story house and a one-time shoe repair shop in Butler.

A Pittsburgh demolition crew on Monday tore down all or most of both structures on a 80-foot-by-60-foot parcel in the 300 block of North Washington Street across from Friedman’s supermarket on West Brady street.

The city earlier this year condemned the buildings, owned by the estate of Thomas Mitchell.

“The house was in deplorable condition and outside there were lots of structural issues with it,” said John Evans, Butler’s zoning and code enforcement officer. “There were holes in it and the roof was leaking and in disrepair.”

Two or three months ago, authorities said, someone broke into the vacant house and stole copper piping inside. The water was one utility that was still connected.

The theft, Evans said, left the basement flooded with water.

The smaller building also was dilapidated, officials said.

Authorities believed Mitchell, who died last September, had lived in the house for about 20 years. He was a fixture in the community and known for his love of music. He, too, was an accomplished horn player.

Next to the house at 300 N. Washington St., was a 12-foot-by-20-foot building that used to house a shoe repair store. The business closed 20 years or so ago, Evans said.

He noted that Mitchell about eight or nine years ago tried — but failed — to make a go at a laundromat business at the same building.

Mitchell and his ex-wife bought the property in 1985, according to Butler County Assessment Office records. The house was built in 1956.

Evans said the contractor has until Aug. 1 to complete the demolition project