 |
< BACK
Anger at 'gas leak' confusion A FAMILY spent a chilly Christmas huddled round portable heaters after fears of a carbon monoxide leak from their boiler.
A FAMILY spent a chilly Christmas huddled round portable heaters after fears of a carbon monoxide leak from their boiler.
Chris Chandler-King, who lives in Thirlemere Road, on the Queensway estate, Wellingborough, with his wife Caroline, two-year-old daughter, and six-month-old son, were worried they had been poisoned as the family were all coughing and feeling ill before to Christmas.
On Christmas Eve, the family contacted Places for People, which manages the property, and an engineer from a contracted boiler repair company was sent to look at the boiler.
His test for carbon monoxide proved positive, so the boiler was disconnected and the family were given replacement electric heaters.
Mr Chandler-King, 23, a Territorial Army soldier, said: "We tried to get through the first few days but the house was cold so we had to get out.
"We were really worried we were being poisoned, to the extent that we took our children to Kettering General Hospital, and then we thought our fears had been confirmed by the test.
"We were left with a freezing house right through Christmas and New Year, and in the end we all went to live and sleep in a room at a friend's house.
"It ruined Christmas and the New Year for us."
The family were angered further after finding out on Friday that the originaltest was inaccurate.
Places for People spokesman David Mills said: "We sent out a contractor to investigate the boiler and test it for carbon monoxide which recorded a low-level reading. As a result we closed off the boiler and provided temporary heating to the family.
"We have subsequently re-tested the boiler with an independent contractor and it has been shown there were no dangerous levels of carbon monoxide or problems with the boiler.
"We have a strong record in providing high-quality homes and we pride ourselves on ensuring the health and safety of all our customers, and we apologise for any inconvenience."
Mr Chandler-King said of the mistake: "It resulted in us losing our home for nearly two weeks and my son picked up bronchitis. The doctors said if it was any worse, they would have to keep him in hospital.
"We should have been put into temporary accommodation."
Sent: 07/01/2008
Email us direct at: repairs@londonheatingservices.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
||