A FAIFLEY father has told how poisonous gas began spewing out of the family boiler following a botched replacement by contractors City Building.

Clark Finlay, 39, partner Laura Jennings, 36, and their three children were exposed to potentially lethal gases.

Fortunately, the family has a carbon monoxide detector in the flat and had the gas supply shut off.

But they were left without running hot water and gas heating for nearly 10 days while agencies failed to inspect the broken boiler.

Faifley Housing Association had to provide electric heaters and foot the bills to heat the flat while waiting on action from the Health and Safety Executive and Gas Safe Register, the latter of which was tasked with inspecting the condemned appliance.

Only after the gas regulators deem the boiler safe can it be repaired or replaced.

Mr Finlay told the Post: “The way this has been handled has been absolutely disgraceful, it has taken far too long for someone to agree to come out to see us. I have had countless phonecalls to Gas Safe to try and get them out and have had to lodge an official complaint to even be heard by them.

“My three-year-old daughter has been suffering from bronchitis and these cold conditions that she has had to endure will not help that.

“Thankfully, the housing association has been helpful in providing heating for us but I hope the one who fitted this boiler that could have killed us all has been suspended.” Clark and Laura stay in the flat on Faifley Road with three kids, Kayleigh Finlay, 3, Megan O’Donnell, 12, and Ashley O’Donnell, 16.

They have had to rely on relatives for basic tasks while agencies fail to respond to their crisis.

The housing association could not have work done on the boiler without the inspection by the gas regulators. The appliance had been condemned under what is known as a ‘riddor’. The riddor makes it illegal for the boiler to be worked on until it has been cleared by inspection.

Eventually, after enquiries by the Post, Councillor Jim Finn, the housing association and Mr Clark, an inspector, was scheduled to go and visit on Monday, November 9.

A spokeswoman for Gas Safe Register said: “By law landlords must make sure that gas appliances are maintained and safe for tenants to use.

“Gas Safe Register is checking the competency of the engineer who originally carried out the work and until the investigation is complete it would not be appropriate to comment.” A spokesman for Faifley Housing Association added: “The association is unable to carry out any remedial works to the boiler until Gas Safe have carried out its investigation “The association has been in touch with the family on a daily basis and it is my understanding that they have been contacted by Gas Safe on Thursday, November 5 to arrange access to carry out the inspection.” City Building responded to criticism by Mr Clark.

A City Building spokesman said: “We are committed to ensuring the very highest standards of quality and safety in the services that we provide.

“Following confirmation from Gas Safe we have now reinstated all heating and hot water to the premises. We have apologised to the residents affected for any inconvenience caused.”