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Action Desk: Family fearing asbestos after ceiling collapses
A SHEFFIELD bus driver and his family have been left waiting for six weeks for repairs to a collapsed ceiling at their privately-rented home and have been told to stay there although there are fears asbestos may have been released.
Anthony Hercock, aged 40, lives with pregnant partner Claire Glaves, 35, a home care worker, plus her children Dana, 14, Shannon, 13, Jessica, 11, and Tia, 10, at the three-bedroom semi in Elm Crescent, Mosborough.
They rent the housethrough estate agent Reeds Rains.
The ceiling collapse, which the couple believe was caused by a water leak, happened in the eldest girls' bedroom.
Repairs have not started because of fears that asbestos may have been released.
Tests have been carried out, the results of which have not yet been revealed.
Mr Hercock, who works for Stagecoach, said: "We found the collapse after arriving home from work and reported it to the estate agents.
"All sorts of dust and rubble came down from the loft, which we cleaned up ourselves."
The family say they were told there would be a delay whilst the owner of the property claimed on her insurance.
But there was a further delay when assessors came out from the insurer and took tests for the presence of asbestos.
They said work would have to wait until the results came back.
Mr Hercock said: "The two girls are not using the bedroom at present - they are sleeping downstairs.
"Reeds Rains will not offer us any other accommodation and we cannot leave as we are under contract until next March.
"The house is no longer in a suitable condition for a family of six with another one on the way."
Reeds Rains said repairs are to be carried out at the house next week and that they had experienced problems contacting the family by telephone to arrange the work.
The company's Sheffield manager refused to discuss the case in any further detail due to 'data protection rules'.
The results of the asbestos test were not disclosed.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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