A suspected 'drain cleaning malfunction' left the kitchens in one block of council flats covered in an 'explosion of black muck'. Residents were horrified after hearing a 'great big bang' after which they discovered a stinking tar-like substance all over their walls floors, and surfaces.
The incident happened on the morning of Friday, April 1, but this was definitely no April Fools' prank. It's thought the mishap happened as council contractors were working on clearing the drains of the 14-storey tower block.
Those living in the building were unable to go into their kitchens for hours afterwards and they described the foul smelling scene as resembling ' a health hazard '. One resident named Martin Hewer also had to turn off his electricity as a precaution because water was pouring through the ceiling.
"I'm absolutely fuming, it's a scandal," he said. "I went for a walk and just as I got back at around 9am, there was a great big bang from the kitchen and I walked in to find it like this. I talked to my neighbour and his kitchen was the same. I don't know how many flats are affected, but it could be a lot of them," said Martin, who lives on the tenth floor of Barlands House in Henbury in Cheshire.
"The council had contractors in doing something with the drains, and God knows what's gone wrong. I went and told them and two of them came up, took some pictures and then went off again. I haven't seen them since," he told Bristol Live, adding that he was waiting to hear back from the council.
"I couldn't believe what I saw when I walked into the kitchen. There was all this dirt everywhere - it's like a sticky black tar-like substance and it stinks. Obviously the kitchen is unusable and I'm worried about what this substance is and if it's safe to clear up - it needs professional cleaners because now my kitchen is contaminated. This is a health and safety issue," he added.
Bristol City Council has been contacted for comment by Bristol Live
