Firefighters tackle burst pipe floods

Strathclyde Fire & Rescue has attended 239 flood related incidents between midnight and this afternoon.

This level of incidents, caused by burst pipes, is not expected to ease off quickly during the current thaw because large numbers of bursts may still lie undiscovered in vacant properties. 

Today's tally is ahead of yesterday's spate level which saw fire crews attend 180 flood related incidents. 

Strathclyde fire crews have carried out a range of actions to ease flooding problems in homes and business premises. The crews' particular concern has been for occupied properties where water has been getting into electrical systems. In such emergencies, the water supplies may have been cut off to affected properties. 

Firefighters have also used pumps to remove water from properties and salvage sheets to protect large items such as furniture or to channel water out through windows and doors. 

Incidents attended today include:

•     The home of a 97-year-old person in Maryhill where water was pouring through the ceiling and affecting the electrical system.

•     A shop in Duntocher, Clydebank, which was considerably damaged by a burst pipe in the flat above.

•     Firefighters in Cumbernauld had to force entry to two vacant flats in a block of four affected by a burst pipe.

 Early this morning power had to be switched off in part of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's headquarters in Hamilton as a result of flooding in a rear stairwell. The problem was soon rectified and power restored.

 Advice on what to do in case your property is flooded can be found on the Scottish Water website.

 Strathclyde Fire & Rescue also repeats its warning that people, particularly parents with children and dog owners, should not venture near bodies of water covered with ice. 

The thaw is making frozen ponds, lochs etc even more dangerous as ice becomes thinner. Parents should keep their children well under control and dog owners should put their pets on a leash.