Makeshift house built by hand torn down

Workers return to Orlando Pazo Toro's home built on city property

MIAMI ā€“ Miami police Wednesday made good on their promise to destroy a makeshift house built on city property.

"Whenever I drive by I could see there was a structure there," neighbor Nancy Baldwin said.

City code enforcement workers were seen packing up the pieces of the waterfront structure built along Northwest 22nd Avenue, behind Fern Isle Park.

The homeowner, Orlando Pazo Toro, said his pet pigeons are the only things he's taking from the home.

Workers tried to tear it down last month, but the house that Pazo Toro built with just a hammer and nails was stronger than they thought.

Pazo Toro told Local 10 he's a blessed man -- something of a saint -- and that the sun follows him wherever he goes. He said he doesn't know where he'll go next, but police said he's refused help from family in the area and won't go to a shelter.

"Like the policeman said, he has means," Baldwin said. "He doesn't have to live this way."


About the Author

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.

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