It was 8 a.m. Monday morning, but there was no demolition equipment in sight.
An hour later, still nothing. It was quite a surprise for Ruben Santos who received a notice of demolition from the City of Combes last week, stating the home he's been rebuilding, would be torn down because he's built it without the proper permits.
However, after Action 4 News stepped in, Santos got to keep his home - at least a few more days.
"I’m really glad," Santos said. "I’m really going to try to find a solution and fix whatever I need to fix on the home, according to Combes building ordinances."
Had Santos done that when he first purchased the building 10 years ago to repair it for his family, Combes officials said he wouldn't be in a predicament.
Mayor Silvestre Garcia paid Santos a visit Monday morning.
He told the man he sympathized with him, but there was little he could do so late in the game.
Still, the mayor agreed to look for alternate solutions. However, it was a tough situation for the mayor, especially since the town is looking to clean-up.
"Well one, they're unsafe," Garcia said about dilapidated and unfinished structures. “They're not up to code, some of the structures have been abandoned and there's no progress - it's a cleaning up."
But Garcia came through.
Monday evening, Action 4 News received a call from Combes Building Inspector Lonnie Bearden who said the demolition would be postponed, until commissioners reviewed the issue at their next meeting, on October 11.
Santos can temporarily breathe a sigh of relief, but knows it's not over.
He said he's willing to do whatever it takes to keep his home.
"I hope others see what I’ve gone through," Santos said. "Those who plan to build should look for help in understanding the process, and definitely not let too much time go by when they need permits."
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT