'I'm staying put' 87-year-old refuses to leave home built by his grandfather despite growing 65ft sinkhole

As a massive 65ft sinkhole continues to grow in Godstone, swallowing road and pavement alike, 87-year-old Bren Davis stands firm in his decision not to evacuate.

Despite evacuation orders, the lifelong resident of the historic home says, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been here too long. This house was built to last.”

While the sinkhole threatens the surrounding homes, including a nearby car teetering on the edge, Bren remains resolute, trusting in the sturdy foundations laid by his grandfather over 150 years ago.

Why won't the man leave?

Bren's confidence in his home’s resilience is unwavering. “There are more bricks below our house than above,” he explains, his attachment to the house running deep.

The property, built by his grandfather, has weathered the years and stood firm. While the home is now without running water, Bren and his wife Catherine have made do with bottled water.

He has even devised an escape plan, should the situation worsen. "If we have a problem, we have a back entrance so we can run out that way,” he says with a calm resolve. His refusal to leave is driven not only by his trust in the home’s structure but also by the emotional connection he has to it.

The exodus of neighbours

As the sinkhole grows, evacuations have been ordered for nearly 30 properties on Godstone’s High Street, and families have had to leave behind homes they’ve lived in for years.

Noosh Miri, one of the evacuees, described the terrifying moment when the sinkhole opened just outside her door. “It sounded like I was in a waterfall because the sinkhole was right in front of my doorstep," she said. “The policewoman told us we needed to get out straight away.”

Miri and her family are now in temporary accommodation, but she fears it could be months before they can safely return home.

Other residents have been forced to sleep in their cars or find temporary shelter in nearby towns. The tension among evacuees is palpable, with many unsure of when or if they will ever return to their homes.

Yet, despite the mass exodus, Bren and Catherine Davis stand firm. Catherine, who is 90, says, “We’re not afraid. We know it was built to last.” She adds, “There’s no need to panic. This house has stood through generations.” The Davises’ calm in the face of such an imminent danger stands in stark contrast to the worry felt by many of their neighbours.

The sinkhole’s growing threat

The sinkhole's expansion continues to pose a significant danger to the Godstone community.

Local authorities have declared a major incident, and the immediate area is under a strict evacuation order. Residents are warned of the risks posed by exposed cables, ruptured water pipes and unstable ground.

The surrounding area is being monitored for any further collapse.

What caused the sinkhole?

Unconfirmed reports seem to suggest the cause of the sinkhole is due to historic mining and nearby former sand quarries that have weakened the foundation systems of the street.

Beneath the street, as much as seven miles of tunnels from old mining operations and experts suggest that water from a burst pipe may have destabilised the sand, causing the land above to cave in.

Although many other homes have been evacuated, Bren and Catherine Davis refuse to leave, trusting in the history and strength of their home despite the growing risks.

For Bren, the thought of leaving is simply not an option. “This house is a part of me,” he says. “My grandfather built it. I know it will stand.” Meanwhile, the rest of Godstone watches in uncertainty as the sinkhole continues to swallow their street.