Latest news with #CitizenHousing
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Coventry residents worried for pets after flood evacuation
A couple evacuated from a flooded block of flats said some of their pet fish had since died because of a lack of electricity to their and Karen McGrory were among dozens of residents forced to leave the 17-story Mercia House, near Lower Precinct in Coventry, on couple, who are living in temporary accommodation, said some of their fish hadn't survived and others could soon follow because the building's electricity had been turned off, meaning pumps and filters in their "immense" aquarium were not working. Citizen Housing, which manages the building, said the leak in its sprinkler system was caused by a "freak accident" and it hoped repairs would be finished by Wednesday. 'They're suffocating' Mrs McGrory said she had managed to order an emergency air pump for the 200-litre tank the pair had owned for seven years."I managed to get that in yesterday but it only lasts 24 hours, so whether they will let me back in again to recharge it I don't know," she said."The fish are dying, they're suffocating." She described how other people at the building had pet cats and dogs and were eventually allowed back inside their homes to get them out."Our concern was obviously for the fish, they need the oxygen and so forth and if [the pump] doesn't [work], then nitrates build up," Mr McGrory said. The pair, who have lived in the building for more than 35 years, said they were told they would be let back into Mercia House on were one of 63 households that had to move to temporary accommodation or stay with family or friends.A spokesperson for Citizen Housing previously said people couldn't stay in the building as the sprinkler system wasn't yet operational. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Coventry's Mercia House flood evacuation blamed on 'freak accident'
A major flood at a tower block which left residents in temporary accommodation was a freak accident, a housing association has floors of the 17-storey Mercia House in Coventry were affected by the leak with both water and power turned off so the issue could be building was evacuated with 63 households having to move into temporary accommodation while others chose to stay with family or friends, Peter Gill, from Citizen Housing director of housing, care and support added: "It's a freak accident. At the moment what we need to do is to do some further investigations." He said a sprinkler joint had become detached and caused the flood."The joint seems to have fractured. We don't quite know why that's happened but at the moment our focus is trying to get the building back up and running so we can get people back home," Mr Gill said."The issues around why people can't stay in the building is because the emergency lighting has been affected and the sprinkler system isn't operational. "It's a high-rise building. The fire brigade has told Citizen that people can't live there."Power had since been restored but further work was needed to the block's emergency lighting, lifts and the sprinkler system, Mr Gill added."We hope to have all that completed by Wednesday but we're waiting to make sure before we sent out information to our customers," he were being contacted by phone and email with an update on Monday, Mr Gill said. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Temporary housing for evacuated Coventry residents extended
Temporary accommodation for residents who were evacuated from a block of flats in Coventry after a major flood in the building will be extended "as a precaution".Citizen Housing, which manages Mercia House, said a leak in the sprinkler system was to blame, with four floors of the 17-storey building directly address the issue, both water and power were turned off at the site, further affecting residents and prompting the evacuation on firm said it would temporarily rehome residents, and Peter Gill, director of housing, care and support at Citizen Housing, said in a statement on Sunday that the arrangement would be extended until Friday. Pearl Miller, who has lived in the building for more than 30 years, said she had been moved to the Hotel Ramada with her partner, but has requested a move to a room with a fridge as they cannot store his has also had to buy a number of items after she was unable to get them from her flat, due to the "strict" visiting Miller said her partner had been able to return to her flat, but had to be guided by a worker for the housing company, and was only able to stay for 10 minutes. "Citizen have just said that it's too dangerous to go in," she said. "Whenever you ask Citizen when we can get back in, all they ever say is they can't say. "I just wish they would tell us that we can't go back in for seven days, or whatever it is, so we all know where we're going." In a statement, Mr Gill said the "safety of our customers remains our top priority".He added: "We've identified the source of the leak and are doing everything we can to get residents home as soon as possible."We're contacting all customers to let them know that once we've got the power and water back on, we'll be contacting them to arrange an appointment so we can check their home safely. "We know this is not ideal for our customers, but we'll continue to support them in any way we can until we get them back into their homes safely." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Residents rehomed after major water leak at 17-storey building in Coventry
Residents affected by a major Coventry water leakage have been temporarily rehomed. Mercia House at Lower Precinct had to be evacuated after flooding yesterday (August 8). Firefighters were called to the 17-storey building just before 10.50am. Crews from Foleshill, Binley, and Solihull worked to isolate the supply and stem the flow of water into the evening. Citizen Housing, which manages Mercia House, said the leakage was caused by a sprinkler system in the building. National Grid was called as the electricity supply had to be turned off while the issue was resolved. READ MORE: Coventry home for troubled youngsters shut down after child 'sexually abused' Head of Repairs at Citizen, David Polhill, said: 'Due to the escape of water, we have had to turn the water and power off for a period of time, which has resulted in the need for us to temporarily rehome residents as we fix the problem. We hope this will be resolved as soon as possible, and we will continue to keep our customers fully updated.' Pub The Town Wall Tavern provided food and drinks to displaced residents yesterday (August 8) and said: 'We are thankful to hear all residents are safe and sound and that steps are underway to fix the issues causing the incident.' In a statement issued yesterday (August 8), West Midlands Fire Service said: 'We responded to Lower Precinct in Coventry at around 10.50am. Two fire engines and two 4x4 Brigade Response Vehicles from Foleshill, Binley, and Solihull attended, the first arriving within five minutes of being mobilised. 'A water leak had affected several properties and shops in a 17-storey mixed-use building. Crews worked to isolate supply and stem the flow of water.' Sign up for our FREE daily newsletter here for all the latest news about Coventry.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Coventry tower block residents evacuated after flooding
Residents in a block of flats in Coventry have been evacuated from their homes after flooding in their building.A burst water pipe at Mercia House, in the city centre, has led to people being moved to the central Midlands Fire Service said it was called to the 17-storey tower block at about 10:50 BST on Friday, with the water leak affecting several properties and Midlands Police, Citizen Housing, National Grid and the site's housing manager were all in attendance, a fire service spokesperson added. A road closure remains in place on Corporation Street as emergency services deal with the road is closed from Spon Street to Hill Street, with a diversion currently in place. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
