British Man Builds Bunker With Beer Elevator (7 photos)
A British engineer who spent £50,000 on an underground bunker is planning to spend another £10,000 upgrading it in case of World War Three. Dave Billings, 44, from Derbyshire, started his project more than a decade ago after being inspired by the film The Great Escape.
With tensions rising in the Middle East, Dave has decided to prepare, but admits the shelter won't protect against nuclear weapons.
The upgrades will include food supplies, air filtration, water supply and fire doors. Dave, who lives with his wife Beth and seven-year-old son Oliver, said they wanted to create a safe underground shelter for their family.
He explained: "The world is changing and I'm building a survival space. It won't protect you from a nuclear strike, but it will give you a chance to take shelter and survive."
The man spent about £50,000 building the bunker, and it all started with an abandoned well. Now the 10 metre long tunnel leads to a multi-room space with a total area of 42 square metres, which contains a gym, a toilet and even a beer elevator disguised as a keg to deliver drinks to the bunker.
Dave said: "We need to stock up on food, we need water. I think we should install a filter to clean the well water. This way we can use it safely."
A Briton has compared his shelter to Anderson's shelter during World War II: "I'm in the middle of nowhere, it's not like they're going to drop a bomb on it, is it?"
Recent government warnings have only reinforced his belief in the need to act.
"When I heard the news that we had to prepare for war, I thought, 'What could be better than a shelter with food supplies?'"
He advised his fellow citizens: "If you have to stay at home, be prepared. Stock up on food for two or three weeks. It's always better to be a little prepared."