Home owners 'in limbo' as flats still uninhabitable two years after fire

A woman forced to leave her home due to a fire more than two years ago says she is "in limbo" over when she will be able to return.

Catherine Ritchie was one of a handful of flat owners at the Bonnington Bond building in Edinburgh whose homes were rendered uninhabitable by the blaze in March 2024.

Her remaining neighbours have now been urged to evacuate the former whisky bond on Breadalbane Street after an inspection found it remained at a "high fire risk".

Developers Persimmon Homes said remediation work would be carried out, but no timetable for the repairs was currently in place.

The firm warned residents in an email on Monday that they would not be able to remain in their properties while work was undertaken.

Persimmon said emergency accommodation would be available to those affected but could not guarantee it would be nearby.

Catherine, 56, who works as a radiographer in the NHS, was initially put up in emergency accommodation at a hotel in Edinburgh.

However, she was later moved to a different hotel in Glenrothes, Fife, more than 30 miles away, when hotels in the city became too busy.

She now lives in a flat about a mile from the Bond, paid for through insurance.

But Catherine said she feared it would be "a few years" before she was allowed back into her home.

"I don't have communication from the various companies about when I'll get back in because I don't think they know either," she said.

"I think it's in the lap of the gods. No reparation work has actually started yet which is a bit concerning so I'm still in limbo.

"It has been very stressful and anxiety provoking. It's led to sleepless nights, constant concern about the situation I'm in. I don't want this hanging over me."

The complex, on the site of a former whisky bond building, is home to more than 100 flats, with office space on the ground floor.

One of its tenants, Holyrood PR, was scheduled to return to the building in the coming weeks after an "expensive" refurbishment programme.

The firm's managing director, Scott Douglas, said Persimmon had not provided any information specifically for those in the offices.

"It leaves me up the proverbial creek without a paddle," he said.

"Persimmon have clearly forgotten about us.

"We've got no idea if we will be allowed to stay, we think it is unlikely, whether there will be some sort of scheme for compensation, we just don't know."

Two firefighters were injured during the 2024 fire.

A report by City of Edinburgh Council later found a previous building survey in May 2022 had identified a series of serious safety issues "including combustible cladding and insulation, combustible decking and internal fire-stopping issues".

Seven interior lift systems were also found to be "non-compliant".

Persimmon put a number of measures in place in the aftermath of the fire, including "waking watches" and fire supervisors.

Remediation works on the building were due to get under way in September or October, with scaffolding erected in the months before, according to the minutes of a meeting between residents and others involved in the project last month.

Recent inspections identified a "high fire risk," prompting Persimmon to ask residents to leave immediately.

They were warned to take only essentials as large personal items or pieces of furniture would not be allowed in the provided temporary accommodation.

Catherine said she was only permitted to return briefly last summer to collect her personal effects, but had to pay for a removal van to take them to her current flat.

She said she also had to continue paying charges to property firm Lowther, who have sent her debt collection letters when she has failed to pay. These charges, according to Lowther, are legally binding buildings insurance and a contingency fund.

A spokesperson for Lowther said: "As of Monday, all other common charges will be ceased."

Catherine has also continued to pay the standing charge for her electricity meter, despite only stepping foot in the flat once in 27 months.

Catherine said those facing displacement from the building would be "stressed and anxious".

She said: "I don't know how much support they're going to give, really. We didn't get much support when we were put out.

"I think that they just need to communicate more and tell people what's going on and try and come up with, you know, time limits on when things will get done."

Catherine added: "There's nothing else I can do. people ask me when will you get into your flat? What's happening with your flat?

"My dad is 91 and I can't give him an answer. I can't give anybody a definite answer so it does create stress, anxiety and it's probably detrimental to my mental health as well."

A spokesman for Persimmon said: "Persimmon Homes is offering immediate temporary accommodation to all affected residents.

"Persimmon Homes apologises for the obvious inconvenience and concern this will cause to all residents and will continue to provide on-going support until the situation is resolved."