Residents still displaced seven weeks after fire

John and Claire Haines have been living in temporary accommodation for seven weeks

Residents of a block of flats evacuated after an electrical fire in the basement still do not know if they will be back in their homes for Christmas.

Sixteen flats in Gild House, Bournemouth, were left without heating, electricity or water after the fire on 28 October.

Resident John Haines said the strain on his and his wife's mental health caused by the ongoing uncertainty was "absolutely horrendous".

Harper Stone, the company acting on behalf of the freeholder, said the delay was due to a manufacturer failing to supply a missing part and that it was "concerned" about the welfare of residents.

Mr Haines' wife Claire said they were originally told they would be back in their homes by 1 December.

But she said there has been little communication from Harper Stone in the seven weeks since the fire.

"If they could tell us 'it'll take three months', you could accept it," she said.

"But the fact is they're keeping us in the dark."

She said that their finances were "escalating" and they were still paying a £146 service charge every month, despite the fact they are unable to live in the property.

Mr Haines said they were "running at a deficit of nearly £5,500", and there was confusion over how much of that would be covered by Harper Stone.

"We're told this, we're told that, and it seems that we just can't seem to differentiate fact from fiction with this company," he said.

He said he was emailing several times a day and had got Sir Conor Burns, the MP for Bournemouth West, to contact the company as well - but the response "wasn't very pleasant".

Harper Stone told the BBC it was not clear what the involvement of an MP could add.

Sixteen flats in Gild House were without water or power after the fire

Mr and Mrs Haines are living in private rented accommodation at present.

"Luckily... we've got a roof over our head," said Mrs Haines.

"But obviously we have moments where this really gets to us."

Mr Haines said if Harper Stone had "a shred of decency", it would try to make sure all residents were home for Christmas - something the firm said is still possible.