Stourbridge flats flooded after water pipe bursts

Residents at the complex, in Nene Close, awoke to the sight of fire crews working to remove the excess water from the lower floor.

A communal area and main corridor were left soaking and the water entered some of the ground-floor flats after the kitchen water pipe burst before 5.30am. Council officials at the scene said it was unlikely any residents would need to be rehoused and no-one had to be evacuated.

Two flats were badly affected by the flood, and workers from Dudley Council, which runs the complex, were called to the scene to begin the clean-up.

Specialised vacuum cleaners were used to soak up the water.

Resident Edna Knight's flat was the worst affected by the water.

The 75-year-old said it had been a shock to wake up and see what was happening.

"I literally swung my feet out of bed to find the carpet absolutely soaking and wondered what was going on," she said.

"I was told the water pipe had burst and flooded the entire ground floor.

"It is a bit of a mess, and some of my clothes have been left soaking, but there is no serious damage," she added.

"The council workers have come in and are now drying out the carpets," she said.

"I have lived here 18 months and have had to move everything around again for the work to be carried out."

Fellow resident John Chapman, 73, said he had been fortunate as the flood waters had only reached his hallway.

"I know it has made a bit of a mess," he said.

Dudley Council repairs manager Trevor Williams said: "Fortunately it looks a lot worse than it is.

"I don't believe anyone will have to be rehoused.

"The carpets have been left very wet on the ground floor, and we will be working throughout the day to remove the moisture and make any necessary repairs."

By Lee Watton