'Our homes have lost value': Mazarrón hoarder makes national news for out-of-control rubbish heap in his home
One Mazarrón resident has sparked national concern with his extreme rubbish accumulation, leading neighbours to fear for health hazards and a loss of local property values
A house in Puerto de Mazarrón, Murcia, has become the centre of national attention due to the extreme hoarding habits of its owner, a local high school computer teacher.Over the past six years, the man has been accumulating rubbish, filling both the interior and exterior of his home with discarded items. The situation worsened during the pandemic, and now, the overflowing waste has turned into a public health crisis.
Washing machines, mattresses, broken televisions, furniture, pallets and various other discarded items have piled up beyond the property’s walls, making the issue impossible to ignore.
“The rubbish is everywhere. There are rats, lots of mosquitoes in summer, and it is impossible to enjoy our swimming pools because of the insects,” complained one frustrated neighbour. “We also have cockroaches, but the worst are the rats.”
The hoarder’s neighbours have repeatedly tried to address the problem with him, but their efforts have been in vain. Isabel, who lives next door, initially had a good relationship with him but has since cut ties. “I don't want to hurt him; I just want him to get better because he is very ill. To get into his house, he has to climb over the mountain of rubbish in the garden.”
His family has also attempted interventions without success. His wife and two children were forced to leave the home for their wellbeing. “Social services would have taken the children if they had stayed in those conditions,” said a concerned neighbour.
Mazarrón town council has issued an ultimatum, giving the homeowner 15 days to clear the rubbish. “A case file has been opened to demand the neighbour clean up the property. If he does not act, we will seek a court order to allow us to clean up the site and then charge him for the costs,” explained Ginés Campillo, the Mayor of Mazarrón.
While legal proceedings unfold, neighbours remain fearful of the risks posed by the rubbish heap. Beyond the infestation of pests, the accumulation of waste raises fire hazards.
“If someone throws a cigarette butt near that pile of junk, it could all go up in flames,” a neighbour warned. “There are many houses next to it. And he keeps accumulating more and more rubbish.”
The situation has had severe financial consequences for surrounding homeowners. Many have tried to sell their properties but have struggled to attract buyers due to the squalid conditions of the neighbouring home. “Our homes have lost value because of this mess,” lamented one resident.
If the homeowner refuses to comply, the council will take legal measures to clean up the property as soon as possible. For now, the neighbourhood remains trapped in an unsanitary and hazardous environment, hoping for a swift resolution to an escalating crisis.
Image: Google Maps
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