Video: Plumstead flats flood 'like Titanic' as residents face evacuation (From News Shopper)

Video: Plumstead flats flood, in Villas Road, 'like Titanic' as residents face evacuation

10:48am Friday 12th October 2012 in News Exclusive By Sarah Trotter

RESIDENTS face being evacuated from their block of flats which was flooded in a scene like the “Titanic” after thieves stole copper piping.

The nightmare continues for people living in Villas Road after a ten-storey building was flooded with water followed by an electrical fire.

Copper piping ripped out of the water tanks in the roof caused the mass flooding which has damaged a number of the 40-flat block.

Two fire engines from Plumstead were called at 1.50pm on Thursday (October 11) to stop the flow of water and had to return at around 11pm after a fuse-box caught fire.

David Gregory, who lives on the bottom floor of the flats, heard the electrical explosion outside his door and had water coming in his apartment.

He said: “It was like the Titanic.

“People with families were crying.”

Chan Man lives on the second floor and had to stay in his car to keep warm after being evacuated during the fire.

The 34-year-old said: ‘I heard a noise. I thought it was some kids but when I opened the door I saw water running down the stairs.

“I had to leave last night – people came back around 12pm I sat in my car for two hours to keep warm.”

Mr Man says the water was about a foot deep on the stairwell and was also gushing through his light fitting.

A Greenwich Council spokesman said: “Royal Borough of Greenwich staff were on site as soon as we were alerted to the flooding of a block of flats on Villas Road on Thursday afternoon.

“We worked with Thames Water and the London Fire Service to stop the flow of water.

“Our staff remained on site overnight to provide support to the residents, and two families needed to be rehoused. “We are continuing to work on site, with the priority being to reinstate electrical supply to this block. The block needs to be dried out before full electricity supply can be restored.

“Our current assessment is that the block will not be habitable until after the weekend and we are therefore making arrangements to find temporary accommodation for all affected households. A rest area has also been made available for residents to use.

“At this stage it would appear that the flood resulted from the theft of copper parts in the two main water tanks in the block, and we are examining CCTV footage to see what evidence this might contain.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call Sergeant Craig Johnson and the Glyndon Safe Neighbourhoods team on 020 8721 2638.