Demolition crews began work Sunday to tear down the Seffner house that is somehow still managing to stand over a sinkhole.
"The objective here is to clear as much of the house as possible to get a better view of what we have not been able to see, which is the actual opening itself," said Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill.
The family, who lived in the house for four-decades, sat across the street and watched while a backhoe with a long reaching boom tore apart the structure.
"I had my eyes closed. It was too much," said Wanda Carter, who grew up in the home.
Crews managed to salvage many of the family's sentimental belongings including an American flag, war medals, and a bible.
"God works in mysterious ways and he knew we needed this," said Carter.
The sinkhole suddenly opened up Thursday night while Jeff Bush was in bed. Bush lived at the Faithway Dr. home with his brother, Jeremy, and his in-laws. He was sucked into the hole, along with everything in his bedroom. The recovery mission was called off Saturday after authorities determined there was no way he survived and no safe way to dig out his body.
Crews will return to the home Monday morning to finish demolition.
"Once they can get a better view, than they can get a sense of what the next step is," said Merrill.
Engineers said Saturday they plan to fill the sinkhole in an effort to stabilize the area. Two neighboring homes on Faithway Dr. are also considered compromised. Those families were forced to evacuate and were given about 30-minutes Saturday to remove what they could from their homes.
"It's a nightmare. It's a living nightmare," said neighbor Ken Dascher. "I'm thinking about calling in an inspector, or engineer of some kind to just inspect it and see where we're at."
The Red Cross is assisting the affected families. Anyone who wants to help, can make a donation on a website set up by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue: www.firefighter-relief.com
Monday, May 20 2013 5:25 AM EDT2013-05-20 09:25:28 GMT
Before students at Sexton Elementary can get their groove on to Beyonce songs during gym class, they stop by the Nurse's Office to test their lung capacity.
Before students at Sexton Elementary can get their groove on to Beyonce songs during gym class, they stop by the Nurse's Office to test their lung capacity.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:26:21 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:19:43 GMT
Hank Earl Carr
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:44 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:44:16 GMT
AP Photo
As many as 60 people were injured in Virginia Saturday when a car drove into a group of hikers marching in a parade. No fatalities have been reported, but injuries range from superficial to critical.
As many as 60 people were injured in Virginia Saturday when a car drove into a group of hikers marching in a parade. No fatalities have been reported, but injuries range from superficial to critical.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:26 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:26:21 GMT
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
It's all about the odds, and one single ticket in Zephyrhills, Florida has beaten them all by matching all the numbers to win the highest Powerball jackpot in history at an estimated $590.5 million.
Wednesday, May 1 2013 6:01 AM EDT2013-05-01 10:01:55 GMT
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
More and more people are using social media to vent their gripes about bad customer service. Twitter and Facebook are becoming popular forums for consumers who want their voices heard.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:22 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:22:04 GMT
Dr. Reed, Dr. Pilon-Thomas and Dr. Sarnaik of Moffitt Cancer Center receive a check for $150,000 from Rob Shapiro and Jim Sirignano with Swim Across America - Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Approximately 250 swimmers took to the water at Pier 60 Saturday in Clearwater Beach, in an effort to raise money for Moffitt Cancer Center Swimmers came from all over Tampa Bay.
Sunday, May 19 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-05-19 21:19:43 GMT
Hank Earl Carr
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
15 years ago the lives of Tampa Police detectives Randy Bell and Rick Childers, Florida Highway trooper James Crooks and 4-year-old Joey Bennett were cut short.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Monday, May 13 2013 1:43 PM EDT2013-05-13 17:43:13 GMT
Humans have come a long way since the days of the caveman, but a new diet is looking to the past for healthy inspiration. It's often called the paleo diet, or the caveman diet.
Humans have come a long way since the days of the caveman, but a new diet is looking to the past for healthy inspiration. It's often called the paleo diet, or the caveman diet.
Monday, May 13 2013 7:11 PM EDT2013-05-13 23:11:49 GMT
After serving eight sometimes turbulent years as director of Hillsborough County Head Start, Louis Finney Jr. suddenly and without public explanation left the $95,000 a year county job.
After serving eight sometimes turbulent years as director of Hillsborough County Head Start, Louis Finney Jr. suddenly and without public explanation left the $95,000 a year county job.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"