Downham housing tenant nearly crushed by collapsed ceiling in 'Victorian slum'

Katy Emenyoun dodged the avalanche of plaster by crouching beneath an open cupboard door as three quarters of the ceiling rained down on her in Ballamore Road on July 24.

The diabetic 44-year-old, who was taken to hospital for injuries to her leg, lives with her partner Kenny Rayner, 47, and two young daughters in the Phoenix Community Housing Association-run flat.

Meanwhile. neighbour Frank Scott, who regularly cares for the family, says he warned Phoenix about the safety of the flat on numerous occasions before the incident.

He told News Shopper: "Three quarters of the ceiling had fallen down on Katy.

"They are vulnerable people.

"It isn’t the first time it’s happened to the family.

"The building is dilapidated. Phoenix doesn’t care in my eyes and they haven’t cared for Mr Rayner.

"It is like living in a Victorian slum.

"They are putting people’s lives in jeopardy."

The 56-year-old construction worker rushed round to switch off the electricity and take Katy to hospital but claims Phoenix had a delayed reaction to the catastrophe and have not checked up on her since.

The father-of-three says it comes after the family’s living room wall fell down a few years ago and the whole building is an accident waiting to happen with gaping windows and black damp in the bedrooms.

He said: "They haven’t finished the building. The windows have massive gaps in them.

"It’s got to a stage where something needs to be done.

"Someone’s going to get hurt.

"When I try to complain to the housing advisor, he is always on hold. They have done nothing about it."

The grandfather-of-six says Phoenix sent a plumber the following day and cleaned up the mess but it has not been plastered and the family feel unsafe.

Mr Scott said: "They don’t feel safe in that flat. "They deserve a lot more.

"My Rayner was in the living room when the side of the flat collapsed before.

"Phoenix has got a slogan ‘for the people’.

"They have done nothing for Mr Rayner and his family.

"It is about time the community knew.

"Phoenix are burying their heads in the sand."

A Phoenix Community Housing Association spokeswoman said: "The ceiling didn't collapse.

"Some plaster has fallen from the ceiling and we will renew this.

"As soon as Phoenix was made aware of the incident we sent out an operative to ensure the ceiling, electrics and plumbing were safe.

"We have also arranged for an operative to visit the property this afternoon (July 30) to make sure that the area remains secure.

"The wellbeing of our residents is paramount and we will monitor the situation over the next week to make sure that it is resolved to the resident’s satisfaction."