RESIDENTS of a block of St Ives flats were evacuated by firefighters during the early hours of yesterday morning after a burst water pipe flooded their homes.
Several people living in the sheltered accommodation on Porthmeor Beach Road awoke to find water pouring into their flats at around 2.40am.
By the time firefighters arrived at the block of 34 flats, the water was six inches deep in three of the second-floor properties, causing water damage described as severe.
The burst water main, which supplies the four-storey complex, was also affecting the building's electrics.
Fire crews isolated the water supply to the building and also the electrics which had been damaged by the flooding.
A Red Cross Welfare and Fire and Emergency Support Service vehicle (FESS) from Falmouth arrived at the scene to offer temporary shelter and support to three of the buildings' occupants who were unable to return to their homes after the deluge. Temporary accommodation is being arranged for them.
An electrician was called to make the electrics safe and a plumber was also summoned to deal with the leak.