RESIDENTS in a block of flats are furious over a council’s lack of response after their water tank exploded.

Gary Wilson, 51, from Tyson Place, in Grosvenor Street, Brighton, said his flat was “like a swimming pool” when he woke on Sunday morning. A plumber from Brighton and Hove City Council told him the water tank had failed.

Twenty eight flats over nine floors were affected by the leakage.

The Argus visited Mr Wilson’s flat yesterday and found the carpet damp, water stains on the kitchen and bathroom walls and water still dripping from the kitchen light.

He said: “I woke up at 10am on Sunday and heard a loud bang on the door. Someone from the council’s emergency services told me the water tank had exploded.

“They said we should contact the council the next day. I contacted the council yesterday and no one was there to answer my questions.

“On Sunday my flat was like a swimming pool. The water was just above my ankles. When I went into my kitchen it looked like it was raining from the kitchen light.

“There is still a strong smell of mould in my flat. I had to evacuate my flat and stay at my friend’s house because I have severe asthma.”

Mr Wilson claimed he contacted the council five times yesterday and it was unable to answer his enquiries.

He said the water had damaged his fridge, cooker, microwave, kettle and carpet. He anticipates it will cost more than £1,000 to replace everything.

He said: “I called the council numerous times and I never got answers. I called for advice but I was told to call Mears Group, and then Mears Group told me to contact the council.

“I want to know what they are going to do about the flats because the smell isn’t healthy.”

The council said the water was repaired over the weekend.

A spokeswoman said: “Residents will need to contact their contents insurer or the buildings insurer, advise them of the leak and make a claim through them.

“Residents can contact housing customer services if they need further advice.

“UK Power Networks attended and turned off electricity to the block. No one was left without power or water over weekend. Mears operatives attended yesterday morning and knocked at the flats to ascertain damage and offer the uses of a dehumidifier.”