Flood-hit residents fear for remaining pet fish

Karen and Colin McGrory were among those evacuated from Mercia House

A couple evacuated from a flooded block of flats said some of their pet fish had since died because of a lack of electricity to their home.

Colin and Karen McGrory were among dozens of residents forced to leave the 17-story Mercia House, near Lower Precinct in Coventry, on Friday.

The couple, who are living in temporary accommodation, said some of their fish hadn't survived and others could soon follow because the building's electricity had been turned off, meaning pumps and filters in their "immense" aquarium were not working.

Citizen Housing, which manages the building, said the leak in its sprinkler system was caused by a "freak accident" and it hoped repairs would be finished by Wednesday.

'They're suffocating'

Mrs McGrory said she had managed to order an emergency air pump for the 200-litre tank the pair had owned for seven years.

"I managed to get that in yesterday but it only lasts 24 hours, so whether they will let me back in again to recharge it I don't know," she said.

"The fish are dying, they're suffocating."

The couple have owned the fish tank for seven years

She described how other people at the building had pet cats and dogs and were eventually allowed back inside their homes to get them out.

"Our concern was obviously for the fish, they need the oxygen and so forth and if [the pump] doesn't [work], then nitrates build up," Mr McGrory said.

Fire crews were called to 17-storey building on Friday morning

The pair, who have lived in the building for more than 35 years, said they were told they would be let back into Mercia House on Wednesday.

They were one of 63 households that had to move to temporary accommodation or stay with family or friends.

A spokesperson for Citizen Housing previously said people couldn't stay in the building as the sprinkler system wasn't yet operational.