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Last night we reported on the Belize City Council’s plan to demolish the Eusey home at the corner of Regent and South Streets. We were told by the councillor with responsibility for public relations that it is a public hazard in imminent danger of collapse. It was big news because of the risks to public safety and it is also one of the city’s oldest buildings and - the way they put it to us - it should have been a routine demolition. But with the City Council nothing is routine and tonight the news is that the house is still standing – if only barely – and that is because the Eusey family still lives there and they’ve got no place to go. Keith Swift has their story.

Keith Swift Reporting,
The Eusey family home at the corner of Regent and South Streets has stood there for more than a century. It has two floors, six bedrooms, an attic, and a brick cellar – what the family says was a prison den for slaves. Indeed, it is a prominent reminder of Belize’s colonial history. 76 year old Harry Eusey lived there for 50 years and his son Edwin Eusey was born there.

Edwin Eusey, Lives in the House
“I born in this house. My grand daughter, when she was alive, I used to be around in and out.”

But today the Belize City Council blocked off the corner of South and Albert Streets to tear it down. The Belize City Council says that the Eusey house needs to be torn down because it is in danger of imminent collapse and poses a public safety hazard.

And the evidence of an imminent collapse is obvious. While the tattered wooden shingles are one thing, the walls of the annex to the rear of the building which was a bathroom have already collapsed. Neighbours tell us that these portions fell of just yesterday - onto South Street. Residents and the City Council fear that this basin and ultimately the entire annex will be next.

Dean Samuels, City Councillor in Charge of Zoning
“Today we were informed that there was a failure of the building and we immediately sent some of our officers out there to assess what the problem was and there was a failure in the annex and the owners were informed that it is a danger to the people residing in the lower flat and to the public.”

But there is one problem with the City Council’s plans and it is a big problem because Harry Eusey along with his son Edwin, Edwin’s 5 sons, and his common law wife still live inside the house and they have nowhere to go.

Edwin Eusey,
“I know the building is a pretty old building, it probably needs a lot of repairing or removed, but then there is nowhere else for us to go so I was just wondering and still waiting for some answers.”

Keith Swift,
“So do you know yet what you are going to do?”

Edwin Eusey,
“Well really we don’t have nowhere to go. I was searching for somewhere to live but can’t find a decent rent place to go and until then this is the only place we have to live in. So if they can assist some kind of way it would be better instead of just telling you that you got to get out and nowhere to go.”

Dean Samuels,
“On numerous occasions we went to the building owner and we informed the people living there that their lives could be in danger because of the age of the building.”

Keith Swift,
“Do you have somewhere to go if they tear it down?”

Harry Eusey, Co-Owner of Home
“Not presently.”

Keith Swift,
“So you’ll be out of a house. You still have your stuff in there?”

Harry Eusey,
“Yes most of my belongings.”

Keith Swift,
“If the City Council comes to tell you that they’ll demolish the house, what will you do?”

Harry Eusey,
“Well I’ll consult my lawyer and see what they have to say about it.”

Keith Swift,
“Are your possessions still inside the house?”

Edwin Eusey,
“Yes everything we own is in there. It is not a lot but it is our belongings and possessions and we really don’t have no place to say. The last place like I told you is over there and it was violent and rat infested so this is better. Anybody would want to live here.”

Edwin took us inside the house and showed us that while there are obvious signs of deterioration – such as these stairs leading to the second floor which he advised us not to attempt to climb - the beams on the first floor where he resides are still in tact, the floors are sturdy, and the house is filled with memories like these trophies from his father and uncles. He says the house can be repaired and the memories preserved.

Edwin Eusey,
“It could be repaired, it just needs some money. It could be repaired and it would be better for us to live but that is what they got to do. It is not my say. They would probably have to talk to the people who have been here before I came around.”

Harry Eusey,
“The structure is on a cement brick. It has survived through all the hurricanes and so I don’t see what is the problem.”

Edwin Eusey,
“If you fix it up, it is one of those old Victorian houses, we don’t have many of those left around. They are tearing them down and they are putting up other stuff. There is not as much architecture going up in homes now that they are building. So this is one of the old I would pioneers of Belize. It would be good if it could be fixed up.”

Keith Swift,
“Do you feel the house is in danger of imminently collapsing?”

Edwin Eusey,
“Well no I don’t believe an imminent collapse. Maybe if a hurricane came. I feel safe living in there.”

Keith Swift,
“You don’t feel that one night it will collapse on you?”

Edwin Eusey,
“No I’ve never felt this house move.”

Dean Samuels,
“We are not saying that the house cannot be repaired. There is an immediate problem right now with the house and for the safety of their lives and the public we have to do something about it and so we’ve informed them immediately that the annex of the building should be taken down.”

And the City Council says that if the Eusey family doesn’t, they will on January 14th.

And so that is the bottom line tonight. The family was served with a letter today from the City Council ordering them to immediately demolish the annex of the building. The deadline is Thursday January 14th or else legal action will be instituted. The City Council says that while they are demanding the immediate removal of the annex, they also believe the entire building is unsafe and similarly wants it either repaired or demolished.