Evicted fire hero finds a home after weeks living rough
Grandfather puts debt nightmare behind him
A grandfather who moved into a tent outside his house after being kicked out by bailiffs has found a new home after weeks of living rough.
Paul Wallis was described as a hero for helping neighbours escape a fire which ripped through Walshaw House in Quarry Square, Maidstone last December. While he was unable to save tragic Judith Tucker, 69, he managed to reach those living in the flats above and help get them to safety.
But the 52-year-old has since been in and out of court over rent arrears, after falling on hard times which saw him suffer injuries, lose his job at the local hospital and spiral into depression. With unpaid debts totalling more than £3,000, he was then evicted from his two-bed home in Telford House in May, where he had lived for 17 years. In response, he set up a tent in the front garden, where he had been living with his dog, Cali, relying on donations from neighbours to keep him warm and fed. Paul claimed he was told his “heroics” during the evening of the blaze started meant he would be provided with extra help in avoiding the prospect of eviction. Golding Homes, which owns the property, said it could not comment on his actions on the night of the fire but said its team were in contact to support him with his rent arrears.
Paul was determined not to give up Cali, turning down offers of accommodation which wouldn’t allow pets.
He was then served with an injunction order from Maidstone County Court, ordering him to leave not just the premises of Telford House but a far wider area, stretching from the Esso garage on Boxley Road to Wheeler Street.
He packed up and left after a week of living in the tent, but part of the order was later lifted, meaning he was able to temporarily stay with the friends and neighbours who had helped him out post-eviction.
Now, he has finally found a bedsit in the town centre to help get back on his feet, and - most importantly for him - a place where Cali can also stay.
“I’ve had to lose everything and go right down to the bottom of the ladder before going back up again,” he said.
“It’s been a really tough few weeks but I was lucky to have so many good friends and people around the area who helped look after me. Now it’s just a case of starting my life again.”