Southampton pre-school suffers extensive water damage following leak
The owners of Harefield Community Pre-School say the damages could cost £20,000 to fix
Last updated 11th Sep 2023
A devastating water leak, which has caused around £20,000 worth of damage, has left a pre-school in Southampton unable to open its doors following the summer holidays.
Owners of Harefield Community Pre-School in Yeovil Chase say they discovered the building had been flooded after Southampton City Council notified them that water was leaking into the property.
The facility has been due to reopen to children today (Monday 11th September).
Manager Tina Ford said: "We closed for the summer break but then we were informed by Southampton City Council that water was pouring out of our Pre-School.
"We just couldn't believe what happened. It was devastating.
"Underneath the sink there is a heater for the water, and it had burst.
"We don't know when it happened, but we were up to our ankles in water, and everything is mouldy."
Furniture, books and toys and other equipment had become rotten and covered in mould after stagnant water filled the playroom.
Joint manager Louise Kent said: "We've lost so much stuff. A lot of the equipment is rotten because it was made of wood.
"There's also mould everywhere. A lot of it was brand new too."