An 87 year old refuses to leave his home near a massive sinkhole in Surrey, despite the danger and evacuation orders.
Another hole then showed up nearby. It formed in a garden the next day. A car sat very close to this new chasm. People were told to leave their homes, and many evacuated the dangerous area. Now homes lack water, power, and gas.
Bren Davies is an 87-year-old man who lives near the sinkhole, about 60ft from the hole. He told BBC Radio Surrey he’s staying. Bren has lived there his whole life, and he and his wife do not want to leave.
Bren feels his house is safe because his grandfather built the house. He said it has lots of bricks below it. Police visited him three times but did not order him to leave. He has a back door to escape if needed.
Six families got permission to return home. Catherine Sayer, who leads Tandridge District Council (TDC), said they might let others return too. Some residents felt “homeless” from the sinkhole and did not know when they could return, according to the BBC.
Ms. Sayer apologized to those feeling unsupported, but she thinks the council is “doing their best.” The council wants to keep people informed. TDC said residents’ taxes are paused, and they will not pay taxes until they return.