Major leak at Marine Court seafront block of flats

A hot water pipe burst on the ninth floor of block B in the listed St Leonards seafront building at around 9am.

House manager Marc Heinclin said ‘a few’ flats were damaged and one resident was forced to move in with a neighbour while the apartment ‘dries out’.

Jewellery shop owner Cathy Dighton has lost everything having only opened Pearl and Queenie three weeks ago.

“Everything is a blur I don’t know what to do – what can I do,” she said.

“It’s not life or death but at the same time it’s my livelihood.

“I’m devastated and blurred, I’m in a state of shock.”

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called at around 9.25am and found ten floors of ten flats were affected.

Crews isolated the hot water supply and the incident was handed over to the management company but firefighters assisted with the salvage process.

The Fire Victim Support Unit were called to the incident, due to severe water damage to the property.

Plumbers are still working to fix the leak and Mr Heinclin said exceptional action has been taken to deal with it.

The 80-year-old building is undergoing a major refurbishment, including the water system which is being repaired and maintained, the concierge said.

Ms Dighton spent her life savings on opening the jewellery shop and now has a nervous wait to see if her insurance will allow her to reopen.

“All my life savings are in there – it’s spectacular,” she said.

“I have spent a fortune on it and I’d had so much great feedback from customers who have loved the shop.

“I also feel sorry for the people upstairs as it’s their homes.”

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