A TikTok user who has amassed thousands of followers while showing off the large tunnel beneath her home has been ordered to stop digging.
While a lot of TikTok users gain their followers by sharing hacks, telling stories or doing dances, Washington, DC resident Kala has been enticing viewers by getting her hands dirty.
Posting under the handle @engineer.everything, Kala has spent the last year and a half offering updates on her 'underground tunnel system', which she began building herself in August 2022.
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The tunnel system is located 22 feet below ground and leads to a storm shelter, but building it hasn't been an easy task.
Kala has spent months making sure the tunnel is functional by cutting through concrete, building an elevator shaft to move material, pumping out water and installing ventilation and electricity.
Viewers have praised Kala for her efforts, but last week she shared a post claiming that her project had been brought to a halt.
The TikToker appeared to use the platform to recreate a conversation she'd had with city officials, telling viewers: “They did give me a stop work order and are requiring an immediate evaluation by a professional engineer."
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Kala went on to claim that the tunnel is constructed 'entirely below the slab of [her] house', meaning it 'shouldn’t be too hard to get the permits and approval'.
However, her mention of getting the permits indicates she hadn't done the required paperwork before starting her project.
Though Kala doesn't seem too concerned about being able to continue with the tunnel, one of her neighbors has spoken out about the impacts of her work.
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In an interview with WUSA9, the man, who identified only as David, called attention to the lack of safety precautions Kala seemed to be taking.
“It’s definitely a first,” he said, adding: “It’s concerning during the day that there’s a lot of noise being made but nothing that would truly bother us to call the authorities in any way."
Officials in Kala's area have confirmed they are working with the TikToker to 'correct any violations and ensure that the property is safe and in compliance with the code'.
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The collaboration between Kala and the officials comes after inspectors received notice that she was in 'potential violation of the Uniform Statewide Building Code'.
Some viewers have expressed their hopes Kala will be able to continue with her project after being shut down, with one intrigued viewer writing: "welp, I'm fully invested. do we have a goal, or are we just expressing ourselves through tunneling?"
However, others have criticized the TikTok user for seemingly failing to get the correct permits in the first place.
Emily Brown