Store hit by a flood after bath overflows

A Wednesbury shop was partially flooded today after an upstairs neighbour accidentally left a bath to overflow, leaving a one-inch deep pool of water.

Chiefs at the Trouse Lane Superstore have been left to mop up a puddle covering four, after the taps were left running upstairs and water soaked through the roof.

Fire crews spent two hours at the scene after being called at 8pm last night. Shutters were down at the store this morning. Neighbouring shopkeepers said they expected the owner to arrive back this afternoon.

Wednesbury watch commander Steve Newman said: "We had to make entry into the flat to stop the taps running and then begin salvage work.

"We believe it was an accident caused by a neighbour falling sleep with the bath running.

"It's covered a big space, around four square metres, and the water is an inch or so deep. It's a good thing the whole row of shops was not affected. It will unfortunately mean the owners of the store have a clean-up on their hands first thing."

The neighbour believed to be responsible for the flooding was unavailable for comment today. Sandwell Homes, which owns the flat, has not yet confirmed if it will pursue the tenant in relation to the damage.