Workmen who tried to dismantle a house on West Canal Street ran into trouble this afternoon. Trouble was in the form of 62 year old Warren Gordon. He says he’s been living at 163 West Canal for 12 years and has asserted squatter’s rights. And that is why when he heard they were dismantling his roof – he rushed to the scene. He told us what happened next.
Warren Gordon, Home Resident
“I was on Racecourse Street minding my bloody own business when a man told me they got some guys taking the roof off the house. I came around here wanting to know what happened. That is about it. I don’t know who send who and why. Me want to know who.”
Keith Swift,
“What have they taken down so far?”
Warren Gordon,
“Zinc.”
Keith Swift,
“And you live in this house?”
Warren Gordon,
“Of course man I got all my things up there. Partner they went on
the verandah and they saw a lock on that door. Now how you think a abandoned house will be locked. Now they went up there like a crazy man. I can’t blame them if they give them a job to do.”
Keith Swift,
“How long have you lived in the house?”
Warren Gordon,
“14, 12 years I don’t even remember.”
Keith Swift,
“So they already took off your roof?”
Warren Gordon,
“No they put it right back.”
Keith Swift,
“So they are saying this house is abandoned, is this your house?”
Warren Gordon,
“Almost because I have squatters rights. I have been here so long since the man told me to take care of the place.”
Keith Swift,
“You ask these guys who told them to take it down?”
Warren Gordon,
“They say Mr. Man….that is the thing. They want to make money and think I stupid and they can just pull anything on me…. I won’t do anything. You tell them don’t go back on that roof.”
Warren Gordon concedes that he hasn’t been paying rent and that the house and property probably has been sold. He however is steadfast that he won’t move.
