Greater Manchester homes evacuated as water pours through ceiling in nightmare situation
Tenants in Salford were evacuated from their homes after a ‘serious leak’ caused water to pour into the building.
People living in Salix Court in Pendleton were forced to leave their homes on Friday (January 2) when the incident took place, with residents placed into hotels.
The building is managed by Pendleton Together, which manages housing on behalf of Salford council. Pendleton Together said the incident has been reported to Greater Manchester Police and was ‘not related to the recent programme of fire safety works’ at the site.
In a video shared by a resident, water was seen pouring out of a lift in the building into the corridor. Some of the tenants started moving back into their homes today (January 6) after the issues were resolved.
“It’s been a nightmare,” said Karl Crook, who has lived in the building on the first floor with his partner for the last 11 years. “We had no water or electricity, they turned them off on Friday. We live on the first floor and had to go to the Ibis hotel with our three dogs.
“We had about five minutes to get our things before leaving. It’s just one of those things that happens.”
Karl added that Pendleton Together had supported residents by giving out food vouchers as well as organising hotel rooms.
Mark Woodward, 59, also left his first-floor flat on Friday but said he’s not been given clear updates about when he can return.
He and his wife chose to book a Travelodge hotel after leaving because of a family member who works there.
“It’s costing us a fortune and we’re having to buy takeaways to eat,” Mark said. “We’ve not had a date when we can go back yet, I’ve never had a phone call from them, I have to call every morning to know what’s going on.
“There’s a lot of people affected by it, we just want to get back home.”
A third resident, who gave his first name as Mark, said he lives on the sixth floor and returned to the flat today with no shopping and the lift not yet working.
The 40-year-old went to stay with his niece in Wigan when he was told to leave. He said: “I live in the top corner, my flat’s fine, we just got a knock on the door and when I went out to the landing it was like a swimming bath.
“All the residents were on the landing with the firemen asking what had happened. On the top floor now it’s absolutely freezing, I’m back at home now, the electric has been put back on but I’m waiting for my boiler to kick back in.
“I’ve had to bin my shopping, and as soon as I walked in I saw my fish had died in the fish tank, I had it for eight years.”
John Warmisham is a Your Party Councillor representing the Pendleton and Charlestown ward.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “There’s been a water leak and it’s affected the electrics, so people couldn’t stay in the flats, it wasn’t safe.
“Together Housing and us as the council and some CVS volunteers have really worked hard together, they’ve got people into accommodation, and the work has now been completed and people have started moving back in today.
“The residents have been brilliant, they’ve been understanding, they’re really just gone with the flow really, I know it was an inconvenience but we’re really grateful for the way they’ve acted and supported each other.”
A spokesperson for Pendleton Together said the leak has caused damage to some homes in the building.
“Following damage to a pipe that resulted in a serious leak, a decision was made last Friday (2 January), on the advice of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, to evacuate Salix Court in Pendleton to ensure the safety of residents.
“Pendleton Together and Salford City Council staff worked directly with residents to ensure everyone had alternative accommodation best suited to their needs.
“Staff have continued to support residents to retrieve belongings and to make arrangements for accessing work and school. There was a staff presence at hotels where most residents have been staying all weekend and Monday evening to provide updates and reassurance.”
Most residents in Salix Court are expected to be back home by the end of Wednesday (January 7), the spokesperson said.
They added: “Pendleton Together, who manage Salix Court on behalf of Salford City Council, recognise that this has had an impact on residents at a time when many are returning to work and school after Christmas and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
“Where residents have incurred costs related to food and accommodation, they should contact us to see what support we can offer.“We would stress that residents should work with us to return home and do not return without confirming with Pendleton Together staff first, so we can ensure their needs are addressed.
“Any residents with questions should contact us immediately on 0300 555 5567.
“We can confirm that the damage to the pipe was not related to the recent programme of fire safety works and the incident has been reported to Greater Manchester Police. While that investigation is ongoing we cannot comment further.”
Salford Mayor Paul Dennett added: “The community has pulled together and supported each other alongside local councillors and Salford council officers.
“I’d particularly like to thank our lead member for housing, Councillor Tracy Kelly, who has been on the ground supporting residents directly for several days now.
“Salford City Council has made funds available from its hardship fund to support residents in replacing food and is putting on an additional bin collection to ensure any waste is disposed of safely.
“I’m pleased that the leak is now resolved, the building has been made safe and residents are now returning home. I will be continuing to speak to Pendleton Together while the cause of the leak is investigated.”