Work under way to restore water for 250 Peterborough residents after supply cut off in blaze
Work is under way to try and restore water for 250 Peterborough residents after their supply was cut off by fire.
People living in Varity House, in Vicarage Farm Road, Fengate, have been without running water for about three days following the blaze on July 18.
Now it is understood a structural engineer has been sent out to the site to ensure the water supply is reconnected without delay.
A resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “We don’t have running water for drinking, baths or showers.
"We are having to make do with bottled water.
“It seems all we can do is be patient.”
The incident occurred at about 9.55am on July 188 when a fire in a waste area caused a water tank to explode cutting off the supply to 112 flats.
Staff at Anglian Water delivered 12 litre bottled water to residents to help.
Although the flats are managed by private company IPM, the loss of water has triggered concerns among local councillors.
Cllr Shabina Qayyum, who is the leader of Peterborough City Council and one of the area’s representatives, said: “The incident on Vicarage Farm road is obviously worrying for the 250 residents that were left stranded without water.
"I am pleased to say that the council’s Housing Enforcement Team has been incredibly conscientious in pushing the management company to get a structural engineer out so that the water supply can be restored as soon as possible.
“I have made clear that portable toilets and bottled water are not good enough.
She added: “The council's emergency planning teams were triggered over the weekend and I with Cllr Numan Iqbal alongside senior service director on call were on site to meet residents to see the extent of the issue.
"I would like to thank Anglian Water who as a matter of goodwill delivered 12ltr bottles to residents which was generous of them.
She said: “The bottom line is that the management company and the freeholder must sit up and take action on the very many concerns that have been raised by residents.
“Residents deserve much better.
A city council spokesperson said: “We were made aware of the issues at Varity House apartments over the weekend and assisted the management company and the fire service where we were able to in order to ensure residents had access to toilets and water.
"We are informed that the management company has provided portable toilets and these will remain on site until normal service resumes. Water has also been provided to tenants.
"Our Waste Team is also looking at adding temporary bins, with the fire starting in the bin store.
"We will also continue working with the building operators as they make the necessary repairs.”
IPM has been contacted for a response.
A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire fire service said the cause of the blaze was ‘accidental’.