A Bristol mum-of-two claims she was told to use water from a kettle to bathe her kids after her home was left without heating for five days. Alex Rostron, who is days away from giving birth to her third child, said her Brislington property has been riddled with gas and electrical faults since moving in less than a month ago.
Miss Rostron won a bid on the Clarion Housing Association property last November, having lived in temporary accommodation for two years. However, she was made to wait after being informed that a lot of work needed to be done on her new home.
By the time Christmas came around, she urgently needed to be rehoused for the sake of her two children and unborn baby. She was eventually given a moving-in date of January 7 but was shocked when a light switch in her hallway began shooting sparks after just five days. She claimed this left her entire ground floor without electricity for days before it was fixed.
READ MORE: Couple convert American school bus into home just in time to give birth in it
The single mum said issues with her new home were far from over after she began to smell gas in her kitchen just over a week later. When she informed Clarion she claims she was told it was not the firm's responsibility. Having arranged to get her gas fixed herself she decided to ask the landlord for temporary accommodation but claims she was rejected and told to use a "heater fan and wash from a kettle".
A Clarion Housing spokesperson said: “We sincerely apologise for the issues Ms Rostron has experienced since moving into her home. The gas supply was capped while the property was vacant, then both gas and electric inspections were completed before the resident moved in.”
Miss Rostron told Bristol Live that she did not feel comfortable living in the house while gas works were being carried out and wanted a safer environment for her children. “My gas was capped off and I had danger signs all over the gas box. My hospital consultant also told me that if I went into labour during this time, I would not be allowed to leave the hospital until I had somewhere safe to go. I am over 33 weeks pregnant,” she added.
The 28-year-old said she has been left heavily pregnant in a cold house with her kids who are now ill. She said: “I feel that checks should have been done on this property before they [Clarion] allow me to move in. I don't feel safe."
Clarion told Bristol Live (on February 3) that the gas service had now been restored and Miss Rostron can again heat her home. The firm added: “The leak was only identified after the resident tried to use the heating, so when it was determined to be a more extensive issue, we provided a number of space heaters for her to use until the problem was fixed.
“Our housing manager will be contacting Miss Rostron to extend our apologies and to discuss any further support she may need."
READ NEXT:
- Bristol mum's last ditch attempt to survive after heart-breaking battle with leukaemia
- Daughter's touching gesture for cancer-stricken dad willing to give his last to help others
- Doting Gloucester dad cuddled premature baby Charlie until he passed away just a few hours after being born
- 'Proud' carer on why he's stayed in the job despite pay and work-life balance challenges
- Cleaning company appeals for help over heartbreaking state of man's home near Bristol
