Roof caves in on residents

Four homeowners in Pinfold Street, Oldbury, are believed to have been affected by a leak made worse by heavy rain yesterday.

Cafe worker Wendy Leach, 56, returned home to find her home flooded yesterday after part of her bedroom roof caved in.

She says it has caused thousands of pounds worth damage.

She claims she was told by officials from landlord Sandwell Homes last week that a roof leak she was concerned about posed no danger to her or the property.

"I was stunned when I walked in and saw all of the water," she said. "I cannot believe that this can happen. Quite frankly I am devastated because the new carpets have been ruined along with my television. It is heartbreaking and I am now going to move out because of the damage.

"To be told on Friday following heavy rain that the roof was safe and for this to happen is beyond me."

Fellow neighbour 83-year-old Beryl Dowen is moving into her stepson's home amid fears her roof may also cave in if the rain strikes again.

"I am very upset by it," she said. "It is not right to be sitting in your home worried that you might have part of a roof fall in on you at any one time."

Resident and carer Veronica Brown, aged 50, has lived in the flat underneath Wendy for the past five years. Her ceiling is damaged because of the water seeping through the floorboards.

"I am very upset and annoyed," she said. "I am going to stay with relative because I do not feel safe staying here. My roof is wet and because of the water in the carpet I think it is best to stay elsewhere. I am very disappointed it was not repaired on Friday because we all knew that something like this could happen."

A spokesman for Sandwell Homes was unavailable for comment.

In Wednesbury, more than six residents of Gloucester Road on the Friar Park estate were affected by flooding last week, which brought sewage out into the road.

Angry householders said they were unable to shower or flush their toilets since 2pm on Friday because waste water was rising up from the sewers.