Ipswich: Flood-hit tenant faces being homeless this Christmas

Darryn Marsh has been forced to spend nights at his office after a burst water main wreaked havoc at The Mill’s Quayside building.

The 24-year-old business consultant, who lives in one of the nearest fourth-floor flats to the burst water main, said he woke to find the property flooded last Wednesday.

“I looked up to see if the water had come from above,” he said. “I went into the hallway and it looked like a war zone.”

Amazing footage of the flooding was captured – and later posted on YouTube – by one witness who was so struck by the dramatic events that he is heard swearing in amazement.

Mr Marsh said there was more water than you’d see coming from a fire engine and that lifts were broken and lights hanging off the walls.

He added: “The general mood was shock. I have lived there for four months and the whole building is a shambles.

“At the moment I don’t know where I’m going to spend Christmas.I’m living day-to-day, I’m not living for tomorrow or next week. I have got nowhere to go.”

Several flats on the fourth floor of the block, which overlooks the Wet Dock, suffered water damage – although it is understood that there was no structural damage.

On Monday, a meeting between EWS Chartered Surveyors, Nicholas Estates, who manages some of the flats affected, and tenants was held.

Speaking afterwards, Nicholas Golding, director of Nicholas Estates, said: “We understand tenants have been affected and we’re working very hard with any related party who can positively get this resolved.”

Paul Musson, director of managing agents EWS Chartered Surveyors, who were yesterday unavailable for comment, said on Monday: “Unfortunately we believe five apartments have been affected and we are liaising with residents to deal with this as quickly as possible.”

n What do you think of Mr Marsh’s predicament? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk