Over 100 frantic residents evacuated after 15-storey Birmingham tower block floods

The frantic residents of Brecon Tower in Birmingham were evacuated to safety following shock flooding on Tuesday night. 

The 15-storey tower block in Guild Close was shut down and anxious people ushered to spend the night at Ladywood Community Centre and a hotel.

West Midlands Fire Service deployed four fire engines and a crew of 18 firefighters who arrived at the scene shortly after the alarm was raised by residents around 8:40pm on Tuesday (28 February).

A spokesperson for the fire service, said: “West Midlands Fire Service crews are currently dealing with a flooding in a 15-storey high rise building in Guild Close, Birmingham.

“We responded with four fire engines and 18 firefighters, who arrived at the scene in under 5 minutes.

“Approximately 128 residents have been evacuated as a precaution, due to flooding affecting the building electrics.

“Displaced residents have been temporarily housed at Ladywood Community Centre.

“Crews are working closely with Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Police, Severn Trent Water and the electricity board to bring this incident to a resolution.

“We have now reduced our resources at the scene to three pump rescue ladders and 15 firefighters and the water has been safely isolated.”

Birmingham City Council stated that vandals had caused “damage to a water pipe” in the building while residents of Brecon Tower dispute this and claim there was an ongoing issue with flooding which had not been effectively addressed by authorities.