‘I’m fuming’ Shock over kitchen muck ‘explosion’
ARESIDENT of a block of council flats in Bristol is demanding urgent action after his kitchen was left covered in a smelly black substance, following what he suspects was a drain cleaning malfunction.
People living in Barlands House in Henbury said they heard a “great big bang” at around 9am on Friday, and found what they described as “an explosion of muck” had shot out of their kitchen sinks and covered the room.
Resident Martin Hewer claimed council contractors were clearing the drains of the 14-storey tower block at the time, and said that after he reported what had happened to them, two of the contractors came to see and took photos – but six hours later, nothing had happened.
He was left unable to go into his kitchen, which he described as “a health hazard”, and said the stench had filled the block of flats.
He said his neighbour’s flat had also been affected.
Mr Hewer, told the Post he’d turned his electricity off as a precaution because water was “pouring through the ceiling” of his tenth floor flat.
“I’m absolutely fuming, I’m furious – it’s a scandal,” he said. “I went for a walk this morning and just as I got back, at around 9am, there was a great big bang from the kitchen and I walked in to find it like this.
“I talked to my neighbour who was out, and told him to come back, and his kitchen was the same. I don’t know how many flats are affected like this, but I’m on the tenth floor so it could be a lot of them.”
Mr Hewer, who is retired, said he is worried for his health.
“I couldn’t believe what I saw when I walked into the kitchen.
There was all this dirt everywhere, it’s like a sticky, black, tarlike substance and it stinks,” he said.
“Obviously the kitchen is unuseable and I’m worried about what this substance is and if it’s safe to clear up – it needs professional cleaners because now my kitchen is contaminated.
“It needs proper disinfecting – this is a health and safety issue.”
Bristol City Council has been contacted for comment.
The Post spoke to another resident who said her flat had not been affected, although she said her sink hole was blocked with a plug.