Fire estate residents’ fury

Published 25 Aug 2010 12:00

Residents have been left dealing with fire, ash and soot damage - including a hole burned in the roof of one home - after a massive blaze in Yoker last week.

A part-built complex of flats - where worked stopped 15 months ago - burned to the ground in Ellerslie Road when then blaze took hold.

The fire spread at lightening pace and people living in neighbouring properties were evacuated for their safety last Tuesday at around 4pm.

As crowds gathered at various vantage points, they watched in horror as the building began to collapse while firefighters tackled the raging blaze.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated by police and the fire service.

Police set up a mobile investigation unit at the site.

This week residents told of the drama.

Pamela Drennan had been using a garden hose to douse small fires which were breaking out in a neighbour’s garden, until she was ordered leave her home for safety reasons.

Pamela said: “We were evacuated to the community hall and they served us tea and coffee.

“Then somebody said there was a house on fire.

“When they pointed out where it was I started crying and saying ‘that’s my house’.”

Pamela’s neighbour, Donna McMahon, said: “I had boxes at my back door and I heard Pamela shouting that they were on fire.

“Then my washing went on fire.

“Pamela was over the fence with a garden hose trying to put it out.”

The site developer, Strathclyde Homes, is responsible for maintaining the roads and communal areas within the estate, but many residents were angry that they were left to clean up the mess largely by themselves.

The flats had been built but not fitted out.

The Post understands an agreement had been reached between Strathclyde Homes and its bank two weeks ago, to allow the properties to be completed.

This was confirmed in a letter, sent out to residents on Thursday.

Strathclyde Homes also said it would clear the site of the burned debris and landscape the area, complete all unfinished stock and release it for sale, improve security on empty properties and bring all roads and footpaths in the development up to standard.

Strathclyde Homes did not make anyone available for interview.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 25 Aug 10

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