A man in New Mexico was found living underground in a tunnel he dug himself.
The home is eight feet underground.
The hideout—located behind Beacham Field in Clovis—has drawers, closets, a bed, and more.
“It started last year in the snow and ice storm. I had broken my hand,” he said, after which he lost his job and then-residence. “So I just dug a hole. My first intention was just to get my gear out of the weather.”
It took him about 45 days to create the tunnel, he said.
Heron said he hopes to get a job and relocate back to the surface by summer, but finds the dwelling satisfactory for the time being.
“The heating and cooling bill would be nonexistent. It’s 60, 70 degrees (down there) all the time,” he said. “People are never happy unless they’ve got something to complain about.”
The hideout was made known when someone who was taken on a tour posted pictures on Facebook.
Locals were surprised to learn about its existence.
“Kids be out here, you know? This is a park, Beachem Field. They play baseball, all kinds of kids be in the park, toddlers,” said Cathy Joiner, who lives across the street.
“What if he attacks? Or what if he decides to come across the street to my house?”
Local officials said they can’t do anything because the tunnel is on private property.
The property owner, Dr. Ali Ghaffari, was notified by the police but said he wants to help Heron rather than run him off.
“I really felt moved by it,” he said. “I'd really like to help him somehow ... And that’s all we are here for. We have one of our fellow citizens living like that, there really should be something Clovis can do.”
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