Wednesday 3rd December 2008
(ref:
394/2008)
Residents who were forced to leave the homes in a block of council-owned flats in Wigan over the weekend have been given the all-clear to return today (Wednesday).
Tenants from 36 flats at the block on Blake Close, Worsley Mesnes, were evacuated on Saturday evening in the aftermath of the blast.
Some made arrangements to stay with friends and family but Wigan and Leigh Housing made alternative arrangements for 21 households left homeless by the blast.
Today Wigan and Leigh Housing chief executive Ashley Crumbley said that residents from 27 of the flats unaffected by the blast could now begin the process of returning home.
“This has clearly been a stressful time for the tenants but we are pleased to say that they are now moving back,” says Mr Crumbley. “This process may take a few days because we will have to undertake routine gas and electrical safety checks in all the flats. Investigations into the cause of the incident are continuing.”
“Those people who lived in the nine flats that were most heavily damaged are being offered permanent alternative accommodation,” says Mr Crumbley. “We expect we will demolish this section of Blake Close which has partially collapsed in the explosion. We are also in discussions with our loss adjusters about rebuilding the damaged section.”
Mr Crumbley added:
“I would like to thank every one who has been helping out in this emergency. The community of Worsley Mesnes and voluntary groups responded magnificently to this crisis. The emergency services again reacted very quickly and have been at the heart of the operation. Various council services and Wigan and Leigh Housing have been working hard to help those affected and to get them back into their flat or rehoused.
“Our thoughts are with those who are still in hospital and their families and friends.”
