Residents offered hotel accommodation in Peterborough after blaze cut off water supplies
Residents left without running water after a blaze at their Peterborough flats have been offered hotel accommodation as council chiefs voice concerns for welfare.
Officers at Peterborough City Council have stepped in to oversee the welfare of about 250 tenants at Variety House, in Vicarage Farm Road, following a fire in a bin store that caused a water tank to explode.
The residents of 112 apartments at the complex have been without running water since the blaze which occurred at about 9.55 on July 18.
The management company has found accommodation in a number of city hotels for residents as well as providing numerous portable toilets and supplies of bottled water.
It is also working with engineers to ensure water supplies are reconnected.
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.
“We were made aware of the issues at Varity House apartments over the weekend and assisted the management company and the fire service to ensure that residents had temporary access to toilets and water.
He said: “Since then, our officers have revisited the site and liaised with residents and the management company.
"Our officers have been on site this morning (July 23).
"They are actively working with the management company to help restore a temporary supply of water to all floors in the building, which we hope will be completed today.
"We are also working to ensure that further supplies of bottled water are made available to residents.
The spokesperson added: “All residents in the building have been offered alternative accommodation by the management company and we will continue to support residents where needed.”
A resident who did not wish to be named said: “We have been offered hotel accommodation to use if we wish.”
Among the first to arrive at the flats on July 18 was council leader Councillor Shabina Qayyum.
She said: “This is an awful situation and we are in touch with the residents constantly.”
The management company IPM has been contacted for a response.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire fire service said: “The cause of the fire was accidental.”