High-rise residents left without heating

Two high rise tower blocks in Sunderland housing elderly residents were left without heating over the weekend when temperatures hardily rose above 1°C.

Residents at Church Street and Dock Street tower blocks in the Monkwearmouth area of Sunderland had to endure freezing temperatures with no heating on Saturday and Sunday.

The Echo understands that Gentoo, who maintain the high rise flats, had previously replaced the gas heating system with a ground source heating system which takes heat from the earth’s core and transfers this into heat.

Alan Pearson, aged 68, is one of the residents living at the tower blocks said he was frustrated at the situation.

The retired engineer said: “There is a lot of elderly people in these flats.

"I tried to get answers from Gentoo over the weekend, but there was no one answering phones, they did give out little heaters.

"However, they ran out meaning that some, me included, missed out.

"It was a very difficult weekend, we had to wear coats inside and get blankets out just to keep warm.

"You don’t actually realise how difficult it is to live without heating until it happens.

"A lot of people kept on going outside for walks as it was warmer than being inside the flats, we’re all totally frustrated at the situation.” Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at Gentoo, commented at the time: “Unfortunately, there has been a loss of heat to Church Street and Dock Street tower blocks over the weekend.

"We are dealing with this as a matter of urgency.”