Elderly residents at a retirement home are still unable to return to their complex more than a week after a burst pipe flooded more than half the flats.

The fire service were called to Kennedy Court in Fish Hill on Sunday, February 12, to reports of flooding in the block – affecting 17 of the 29 homes. The daughter of an 80-year-old resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Crow: “My mother has mobility problems and is hard of hearing so conversation on telephone is difficult. I understand that around 11am on February 12 the residents were asked to evacuate the complex and find alternative accommodation until further notice.

“Prior to this she noticed water seeping into her flat coming from the corridor.

While being evacuated the fire brigade where on scene pumping the water out, relatives of other residents also helped in the evacuation.

“My mother is fortunate in that her brother-in-law is only across the park and she is now stopping there, others have not been so luck and have had to move to relatives many miles away or stop in hotels.

“We were able to visit and gain access to the complex Saturday so we could check state of the flat. This we found to be drying well and only had to move a few items from the floor which should allow these areas to also dry out.

“My mother has found it stressful as you would expect when an 80-year-old gets moved out of the environment she has become accustomed to.”

A spokeswoman for FirstPort Retirement Property Services said: “We anticipate that residents will be able to move back into their homes over the next couple of days, once essential work has been completed following a serious flood. This has understandably been a very difficult time for residents and we are extremely grateful for their patience.

“There are various areas that were affected – including the electrics, plumbing, lift and fire system resets – and it is essential that we take the time to make sure the development is safe before residents move back in. We have personally updated every resident on the progress of fixing these areas since the flood happened and will continue to provide regular updates over the coming days.”