SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / A news summary : The Regional Review / DEVELOPMENTS IN ORANGE, RIVERSIDE, SAN BERNARDINO AND VENTURA : New Owners Open Doors to Infamous Messy Home

A 15-year battle by Huntington Harbour neighbors over a Cal State Long Beach professor’s messy house came to a surprising close Wednesday when the new owners took possession of the property and opened its doors to the public for the first time.

And what a sight it was.

All of the rooms were covered in two to three feet of trash--everything from rotting vegetables and old newspapers to vintage records and aging exercise equipment.

In the kitchen, maggots teemed in the oven, piles of dishes filled the sink, and flies buzzed around rotting bell peppers. Faucets leaked, toilets backed up and mountains of garbage teetered atop beds.

The new owners, who purchased the home for $301,500 at a court-ordered auction last month, allowed neighbors to finally see what they have been complaining about for so many years. Many neighbors left the house stunned, feeling both anger and pity for former owner Elena Zagustin.

“It’s really sad,” said Jenise Stone, who lives across the street and was one of those who sued Zagustin to clean up her house. “I am very relieved this is one step closer to over. I am only surprised that we finally succeeded. . . . I feel vindicated.”

Meanwhile, Zagustin was scheduled to turn herself in at the Orange County Jail Wednesday night to begin serving a 30-day term for allowing trash and other items to accumulate at her home.

Zagustin’s attorney, Anthony Cosio, said he does not know where Zagustin will live after serving her sentence. The 62-year-old civil engineering professor has been on sabbatical from her teaching post.