250 residents in Peterborough flats left without water after fire in waste store
About 250 residents in flats in Peterborough were left without water after a fire in a bin store destroyed a communal water tank.
The blaze occurred in Vicarage Farm Road in Fengate, Peterborough just before 10am on July 18.
It is understood that about 250 residents in 112 flats were left without water after the fire caused a water tank to explode.
Fire crews had extinguished the blaze by around 11:30 am.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire fire service said: “At 9.55am on July 18 a crew from the Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade was called to a fire on Vicarage Farm Road in Peterborough.
"Firefighters arrived to find a fire involving a bin store.
"Wearing breathing apparatus they extinguished the fire using hose reels and and returned to their station by 11.30am.
“Crews made regular inspections throughout the day to ensure the area was safe.
“The cause of the fire was accidental.”
Councillor Shabina Qayyum, leader of Peterborough City Council, who also attended the incident, said: “We were alerted to a fire that engulfed a refuse area that resulted in a water tank being set on fire.
She said the tank exploded causing water to be cut off to 112 residents.
She said the council had instigated its emergency planning team to liaise with residents..
She said: “This is an awful situation and we are in touch with the residents constantly.”
Cllr Qayyum said the management company was looking to reinstate the water supply as soon as possible.