If you’re seriously concerned about the world ending on Friday, then this could be just the ticket.
Ron Hubbard has built a luxurious underground bomb-proof shelter in Montebello, California, with a leather sofa, plasma TV and wooden flooring – just in case the Mayans’ predictions come true.
The civilisation’s Long Count calendar which began 5,125 years ago in 3113 B.C. ends on December 21, 2012 – sparking fears among a small group of people that a major catastrophe could happen.
Bomb-proof: Children test out the bunk beds in the underground survival shelter in Montebello, California
Going underground: The luxurious bomb, nuclear and chemical weapon-proof bunkers are kitted out with beds, kitchens, flushing toilets and even fireplaces – and sell for an average price of £46,000 based on fittings
Handle: A young girl stands in the bunker, which has a leather sofa, plasma TV and wooden flooring
Mr Hubbard manufactures hi-tech underground ‘recreational bomb shelters’ – and has seen his business boom from selling one a month to one a day in the past year.
The luxurious bomb, nuclear and chemical weapon-proof bunkers are kitted out with beds, kitchens, flushing toilets and even fireplaces – and sell for an average price of £46,000.
Mr Hubbard revealed that he is currently rushing the instalment of two shelters – one in New York and another in Indiana – in time for the potential Doomsday anticipated by some people this Friday.
He said: ‘I will be heading into my shelter on December 21 just because I have one and if any of the astrophysicists are right, I would feel really stupid.
Tidy: The 500 sq ft cylindrical shelters – produced in California – each measure 10ft in diameter and 50ft long
Home comforts: A bed is prepared in the shelter with the Texas flag on the pillows and duvet cover
Practical: The bunkers have escape tunnels with one sided hatches which can only open from the inside, as well as sealed contamination rooms between the entrance and living areas
‘I’ve sold shelters to astrophysicists who believe there is a possibility that we could be hit with a strong solar flare or large amounts of radiation.
‘I will be heading into my shelter on December 21 just because I have one and if any of the astrophysicists are right, I would feel really stupid’
Ron Hubbard, shelter manufacturer
‘I’ll spend three days underground in the shelter just to be safe. If you have a shelter you might as well go in it. I don’t think anything will happen but you never know.’
The 500 sq ft cylindrical shelters – produced at Mr Hubbard’s based in California – each measure 10ft in diameter and 50ft long.
They have escape tunnels with one sided hatches which can only open from the inside, as well as sealed contamination rooms between the entrance and living areas.
But they have proved popular not just with those preparing for armageddon, but hunters too.
Installation: The chambers are mean to be installed 20 feet underground – offering comfort as the world falls apart around you
Relax in comfort: A leather sofa and basins can be found inside the Doomsday underground bunker
Space optimization: There are a range of shelters for sale- this one being cheaper than the luxury edition
Mr Hubbard said: ‘I started making them because I wanted one for myself, but didn’t want to pay $1million (£600,000) to $2million (£1.2million) for them.
‘I’ll spend three days underground in the shelter just to be safe. If you have a shelter you might as well go in it. I don’t think anything will happen but you never know’
Ron Hubbard, shelter manufacturer
‘We get a lot of people who buy the shelters as a form of insurance for the worst case scenario. Just like someone would buy fire insurance in case their home suffers a fire.
‘We have gone from selling one a month to one a day in the past year since Obama’s re-election.
‘Many people are afraid of economic meltdown, others simply want to have one just in case something catastrophic does happen.
‘People love them. They make a very nice hunting cabin or weekend retreat, so they don’t just have to sit there waiting for a catastrophe.’
Creature comforts: The small dining area with an ornament on the side is reminiscent of a table at a diner
Tight quarters: Visitors likened the California shelter to a studio apartment when they looked around
CCTV with a view of the world upstairs: Add a few trinkets and posters and you have a home from home
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