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Streetly homes flooded and evacuated after pipe bursts | Streetly homes flooded and evacuated after pipe bursts |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Up to 150 homes in the West Midlands have been flooded after a 36in (91.4cm) water main burst. | Up to 150 homes in the West Midlands have been flooded after a 36in (91.4cm) water main burst. |
The pipe leading to the Barr Beacon reservoir burst in the early hours, flooding properties in the Blackwood Estate in Streetly. | |
South Staffs Water said it was made aware of the problem at about 05:30 GMT and that engineers isolated the burst. | South Staffs Water said it was made aware of the problem at about 05:30 GMT and that engineers isolated the burst. |
Workers for the water company and Walsall Council will stay in the area over the weekend. | |
West Midlands Fire Service said flood water, which has since receded, had been 3ft (0.91m) deep in places. | |
'Gushing noise' | |
Sheila Howard, who lives on the estate, said she had been alerted by the "roar of the water". | |
Ms Howard, whose basement was in 5ft of water, said: "It frightened me to death because I'm here all alone." | |
Samantha Morris, who lives near Ms Howard, was also woken by the "gushing noise". | |
She said: "I came downstairs and the settees were floating and all my daughter's toys were everywhere. The house is ruined. | |
"We haven't bothered clearing up because we don't know where to start. I don't know how we're going to replace things." | |
'Team effort' | |
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said one man had suffered an electric shock as he stood in water while a woman had suffered a minor head injury after falling. | |
He said crews remained at the scene until 12.30 GMT, helping the fire service who were running a boat in the more flooded areas. | |
Mac McGregor, area commander for the service, said it had been a "real team effort" to get the situation under control. | Mac McGregor, area commander for the service, said it had been a "real team effort" to get the situation under control. |
"The water has just gulfed into the main housing estate and followed a natural path because the estate is on a hill and it's just gone downhill. | "The water has just gulfed into the main housing estate and followed a natural path because the estate is on a hill and it's just gone downhill. |
"Wherever the stream of water has gone it's had an impact on all the houses." | "Wherever the stream of water has gone it's had an impact on all the houses." |
About 60 firefighters attended the flood with many working in individuals' homes. | |
Mr McGregor added that the council had organised the cleaning of drains and gullies to help the water filter away from the estate. | |
A spokesman for South Staffs Water said it was trying to contact all residents affected by the flood. | |