The scene on the top of Somerton House

AN aquarium and a wok were among the household items used to try and catch water leaking into homes from a giant pool on a council estate roof.

Flooding at Somerton House in Euston has plagued ninth-floor properties since Sunday morning, with residents having to rip up carpets and tear down redecorating work that was done during the lockdown.

They say the block is regularly hit by flooding and the council is not taking it seriously enough.

As rain poured down on Sunday, a mass of water grew on the roof of the tower block facing Euston Road – the council flats are above a Premier Inn hotel and tenants have often said they feel like a forgotten estate.

Leanne Arnold, who lives just below where the pool was, said: “It just stinks and I’m scared the ceiling is going to cave in. It’s the first flat with my son and when he comes home from school it’s terrible for him. He’s asking, ‘Mummy, what’s that smell?’”

Somerton House

Ms Arnold said she had watched as the ceiling was stripped back after the flood on Sunday to reveal “disgusting grey and green mould”, adding: “Flies are now appearing.”

She told how neighbours on the ninth floor had rushed out “with a large fish tank, a wok, pots and pans and anything that could catch water”.

Residents are also concerned about the safety of electric boxes in the hallways.

Leaves in the drains are believed to have caused the flooding problem. They have now been removed but residents fear the problem will return if there is another downpour.

Ricky Kemp, who has lived in Somerton House for 30 years, said: “They should have to go up every autumn and clean it, because it happens nearly every year.”

A council spokesperson said: “There was a prolonged period of heavy rainfall that generated a large number of call-outs for our repairs service to respond to, including at Somerton House. Upon inspection it was found that a blocked drain on the rooftop had caused a build-up of rain water, leading to some water damage in the top-floor communal corridor.

“We have been working with residents and, of the homes inspected, one minor leak has been identified. This leak – as well as the water damage to the top-floor corridor – will be repaired and redecorated and we will also be carrying out periodic follow-up inspections on the roof.”