Downtown Brooklyn residents and historians expressed anger Wednesday after the building at 231 Duffield St. was demolished to make way for private development.

According to critics of the demolition, the building was once home to abolitionists and served as a sanctuary for refugee slaves in the 1850s.

?I really think it?s bad because kids need to know the historical value of things in Brooklyn,? Joy Chatel, a Duffield Street homeowner, says. ?The Underground Railroad is part of our history and it shouldn't be torn down.?

According to Chatel, her home has many historical elements, including an original door from 1850. She, along with other neighbors, fear the demolition is a sign they could be in jeopardy of losing their own homes to developers.

V-3 Hotels now owns the property at 231 Duffield St. The company has not released its development plans.