Residents in Kitchener’s Court, Trowbridge, were devastated when torrential downpours flooded their homes with sewage.

The fire service was called to Kitchener’s Court, just off Hill Street, last Thursday night to rescue 89-year-old resident Lucette Powell, as well as other residents stranded in their homes.

The flood water, which was a metre high according to the residents, meant the sewers in the courtyard of Kitchener’s Court and in Hill Street overflowed.

Tony Powell, whose mother had to be carried out of her home by firefighters, said: “It’s the second time we’ve been flooded out this year, but it is much worse this time.”

People living in Kitchener’s Court were flooded two months ago but this time sewage came in.

Sade Coleman, who is buying one of the homes in Kitchener’s Court with her partner, said: “It’s an absolute nightmare. There is human excrement everywhere and the bath is filled up with sewage water.

“I’ve been trying to buy the bungalow for five months and we love it, but we are reconsidering now.”

Many of the residents are now staying with relatives as their homes are uninhabitable.

Frances Scott said: “We have contacted Wessex Water, but no one seems to be doing their job. My home stinks and it is disgusting.

“The drains just can’t cope and while Wessex Water are saying that the ones in the courtyard are not their responsibility, they could do something about the drains in the street outside. I heard the thunder and the rain and looked outside and saw a puddle initially, but within minutes the water was getting higher. I was crying, as it was dark and it reeked.”

Ian Drury, a spokeman Wessex Water, said: “Torrential rainfall resulted in flooding in the area which affected the sewerage network.

“We sent a clean-up team to the area affected by sewage flooding and have personally spoken to customers, who were thankful for our help. We will be investigating the cause of the flooding and speaking to the council to see what can be done to reduce the likelihood of it reoccurring.”

Wiltshire Council later said the flooding was due to the sheer volume of water rather than a blockage in the highways drain, but that the drains had been cleaned this week ‘as a precaution’.

n For more storm pictures go to www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk