A do-it-yourselfer in England who has been renovating his flat for more than two years saw the whole project ruined when he released dangerous asbestos fibers into the air, destroying new furniture and much of his hard work.

An article in the newspaper Metro cites the story of Wayne Langley, a do-it-yourself enthusiast, who was nearing completion of his renovation when he shaved a few centimeters off a door that contained asbestos. A friend noticed the toxic mineral and the men notified the local council, who ordered Langley to vacate his flat immediately.

“It has taken me two-and-a-half years to do my flat up and buy new furniture and now it all has to be destroyed,” said Mr. Langley, who left his Corby, Northamptonshire home on Thursday. “I laid the new floor and cut the door and a friend noticed asbestos.”

Langley has no idea when he can return home, though he may be responsible for repairs on his council-owned home because he did not file the proper paperwork before making renovations inside the flat.

A Corby Council spokesman said the council was arranging for the property to be deep cleaned by a professional company.

“Asbestos which is in good condition and is not damaged or disturbed is not a health hazard,” he said. “The expansion of Corby coincided with a major period of asbestos use and so it is present in the town. This is one of the reasons why tenants who want to make improvements to their property must contact the council first. Otherwise they are in breach of their tenancy conditions.”

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