Residents in an Enfield tower block that has been without heating and hot water for two weeks are resorting to sleeping in the same room, taking showers outside in sub-zero temperatures and putting the oven on for warmth.
At least two-thirds of flats in Cheshire House on the Shires Estate in Edmonton have had their gas cut off since the evening of 28 November after a leak was discovered. Those affected have been offered a single electric heater and portable showers located outside the block as temperatures fall below freezing.
In a text seen by the Guardian, Enfield council told residents to “only use one heater at a time to reduce the risk of the electrical system overloading and cutting power to the building”. Residents say they have been offered £3 a day in compensation.
Ema Parkinson, 32, lives in the block with her daughter Avery, aged four and her son Hudson who has just turned nine months. She said: “We’re all having to sleep in one room just to keep warm.”
Her daughter, Avery, has a condition called gastroschisis, a type of abdominal wall defect. “She’s been under the care of Great Ormond Street since she was born. Whenever she’s asleep and her body relaxes, that is when she will release some of her stools. So I can’t even clean her in the morning if she soils herself.
“The council are fully aware of my daughter’s health condition and they still don’t care,” she said.
Parkinson said she and her children have been ill since the gas was turned off. She hasn’t used the outdoor showers. “They expect us to go downstairs and wash in them and it’s minus degrees outside with snow. I haven’t had a shower, and I haven’t showered my kids,” she said.
“Christmas is ruined,” Parkinson said.
Kerry Chapman, 50, lives in the block with her son, Sheldon Spencer, aged 10, who has autism and epilepsy and uses a wheelchair when outside. “I’m on the 16th floor. It is absolutely freezing” she said. “My son is really suffering. He’s throwing things, he’s scratching and biting me, he’s really uncomfortable with it all.”
When her son is at school, Chapman does not put the electric heater on. “I’m under the covers, trying to keep all warm but when Sheldon’s here I need to keep the heat on for him.”
Earlier this month, residents in Sheffield faced similar conditions after over 2,000 homes had no heating or hot water after a burst water pipe led to water leaking into the gas line. They were offered £63 a day in compensation from Cadent. “They’re getting £60 . And we’re getting three pounds [from the council]. You know, I use that in an hour on the electric,” she said.
Chapman’s neighbour, Sencan Cubuk, 50, has been putting the oven on in the kitchen for warmth. “In my kitchen I haven’t got a heater, so I’m putting the oven on to keep warm. I put it on in the morning so I’m able to put my kettle on and keep it on so I can make something to eat later on.”
An Enfield council spokesperson said: “Enfield council’s absolute priority is to keep its tenants safe and warm – especially during the current cold snap.
“For the safety of residents it was absolutely imperative that the gas was turned off at Cheshire House immediately upon the discovery of a gas leak by Cadent. At this point all residents within the housing block were offered alternative accommodation while the situation was addressed.
“Meanwhile, Enfield council has been working around the clock to replace the gas service in Cheshire House, and expect this work to be completed to many flats over the next week.
“For those residents who have chosen to remain at Cheshire House, we have provided heaters and blankets but appreciate the current conditions are very difficult. We urge them to keep talking to our on-site team about any additional support that can be provided including the option to move to other secure and warm accommodation while this work is completed.”
Kate Osamor, MP for Edmonton, said: “I’m deeply concerned about the safety of my constituents. For residents to be left without heating and hot water in this weather is unacceptable. This is an emergency – yet it’s being treated like a routine maintenance issue. Something has gone wrong when residents are being forced to use portable showers in freezing conditions.
“Not only have residents been left without hot water and heating, they have no information about what will happen next.”
Osamor’s office also dispute the council’s assertion that it had offered residents alternative temporary accommodation and said: “All residents we have spoken to have been very clear that the council have not offered alternative accommodation to all residents.”
