Flats damaged as water pipe bursts

Thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused to 19 homes at the flats in Acorn Street after ceilings, walls and electrical fittings were ruined.

Firefighters had to use special vacuum equipment to clear around three inches of water from some of the flats. Mother-of-one Claire Frost, aged 28, was in her ground floor flat with her two-year-old son and mother Margaret when the flood happened.

She said: "I could hear trickling water and checked under the sink before noticing it coming through the walls in the bathroom. There was about three inches of water on the bathroom floor. Before I knew it it was coming through the smoke alarm and the light fittings. I had to quickly move the cot and my son's things.At one point the strip light in the kitchen came swinging off the ceiling and almost hit me on the head.

"It has ruined everything – all the wooden floors I have had fitted will have to be taken up and my cupboards are ruined not to mention the smell that is going to be left behind."

Another resident who only wanted to be named as Jude said: "There was a sound like a waterfall then it started coming through the walls."

Walsall's blue watch commander John Kempson said: "The cause of the flood was a burst water pipe in the loft space. It affected 19 flats altogether, nine of those quite badly.

"We isolated the water main in Gough Street and then water vacuuming equipment was used to clear the water."

Firefighters were at the scene shortly after the flood happened yesterday afternoon, making it safe and clearing water for almost five hours.

Sanctuary Housing, which owns the flats, were inspecting the premises today.