The ice has gone, but the warm weather brought misery for one household – as a burst tank in an abandoned property thawed, forcing water through the walls.
Firefighters from Wennington were called to the flooding in Ingrebourne Road, Rainham, at about 3.50pm today.
They spent about 45 minutes at the scene and switched off the water supply to the abandoned property, which had been boarded by Havering Council.
It is thought a water tank had frozen as temperatures dropped over winter. Water expands as it freezes, and this cracked the tank.
As the weather heated up, the ice melted and gushed out of the crack.
Neighbours raised the alarm when they spotted water spilling through the saturated wall into their living room.
The incident is a reminder to households to make sure tanks and pipes are not allowed to freeze during cold weather.
Were you there? Call the news desk on 020 8477 3903 or e-mail ramzy.alwakeel@archant.co.uk.
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