Council chiefs warn of action if water not restored to all residents after fire in Peterborough
Council chiefs have warned of enforcement action if water is not restored to all residents in a block of flats in Peterborough following a bin store blaze.
Housing bosses have given the owners of the four storey Varity House, in Vicarage Farm Road, Fengate, 48 hours to ensure an adequate water supply is restored to all floors.
Currently water has been restored to the first three floors following a blaze on July 18 at 9.55am in a bin store that caused a water tank to explode.
Residents in 112 apartments were left without running water after the fire .
Portable toilets and supplies of bottled water had to be brought by the building’s owners in for residents.
Anglian Water also donated a large number of 12 litre bottles of water for the residents.
A council spokesperson said: “We are working with the site management company to restore an adequate water supply to all floors at Varity House.
"If this issue is not resolved within the next 48 hours, the council will consider enforcement action.
He added: “A water supply has been available since last Thursday and has been reconnected to the ground, first and second floors.
“However, water pressure remains insufficient, and there is currently no effective supply to the upper floors despite the connection being in place.
"Temporary pumps are therefore required to provide water to those floors.
"We are also working to ensure that residents without water supply continue to have access to toilets, bottled water and temporary accommodation.
“Housing Standards officers are in daily contact with the management company and are closely monitoring the situation.”
Last week it was revealed that residents had been offered hotel accommodation by the flats’ owners after council chiefs had voiced concerns for welfare.
A council spokesperson said: “Although this is a privately managed property, the council has a duty to help ensure high housing standards across Peterborough and support residents whenever their welfare is seriously affected."
The management company IPM has been contacted for a response.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire fire service said: “The cause of the fire was accidental. The fire crews had returned by 11.30am.”