Vulnerable pensioner trapped in Broxburn flat for TEN days as council fails to clear up mess from fire that ripped through block
Robert Pace, 84, has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and has struggled with fumes and soot being trailed into his home. His daughter Lynne Donaldson has hit out at West Lothian Council after she was advised to sweep the debris away herself
A VULNERABLE pensioner has been stuck in his flat for TEN days after a fire ripped through his block, with West Lothian Council yet to have it cleaned.
Robert Pace, 84, has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and has struggled with fumes and soot being trailed into his flat in Broxburn.
His daughter Lynne Donaldson contacted the council to seek advice on when the mess would be cleaned at the block on West Park Grove and who she or her father could contact to discuss claims.
She was told any claim would have to go through her own insurance and the "best thing to do" would be to sweep the debris away herself.
Ms Donaldson believes the council should have sorted the issue last week on their behalf before the Beast from the East hit full throttle - when contractors were unable to make it out due to weather.
She said: "There was a big fire in the block of flats not too long ago. It was a significant fire - not just a wee small one in the corner of the close.
"We need to keep the doors shut because of my dad's COPD. He's also got a bad hip and during the fire, the fire brigade couldn't even get him out of the building because he was sleeping - he's deaf as well.
"He's very vulnerable up there and the council said it was fine. I'm not getting anywhere with them - they're doing nothing.
"It's really terrible for his health and he's not been out the house since last Tuesday because he can't go through the close.
"On Monday, I called West Lothian Council because my dad's house was basically black. I spoke to someone who told me that if I needed to claim anything, it would have to be claimed on my own insurance."
Ms Donaldson added yesterday: "They told me it wasn't their close but I bought the house off them 12 years ago. I don't understand how they can say it's not their close.
"I was told the best thing I could do was sweep it out myself because he couldn't sub-contract the work out until Thursday because of the weather. I didn't have a problem with that.
"We're now into Tuesday of the next week and still nobody has come. I've been and brushed the downstairs because my dad has carers going into the house and they're trailing everything in with them.
"The water is dripping as well. It's just a mess, an all-round disgrace."
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She added: "My dad pays a yearly sum to the council for the cleaning of the close and they usually come every Wednesday morning but the weather wasn't bad here last week until the afternoon.
"I don't see why at least the floor sweepers weren't out."
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A spokesperson for West Lothian Council said: "A request was passed to our sub-contractor on 26th February.
"The sub-contractor will undertake the cleaning of the stairwell on Wednesday.
"Unfortunately, cleaning of the stairwell was due to take place last week but was delayed due to the severe weather.
"Building repairs will be undertaken in the very near future."
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