I received second diploma burns after a sizzling water tank exploded from the ceiling of my girlfriend’s flat regardless of complaining to the council for months

A man was inflicted with second degree burns after a hot water tank exploded from the ceiling of his girlfriend’s flat and rained ‘boiling water’ and ‘rubble’ down his back.

Oliver Thompson, 28, claims he had complained to Kingston Council in London seven times this year about leaks and flooding before the nightmare event but all to no avail.

He was walking up a stairwell to his partner Chantelle Bedward’s, 31, flat after returning home from the school run on November 30 when suddenly around ’20 litres’ of hot water came gushing down.

The labourer had to get treatment at Kingston Hospital for the burns that covered his back and shoulders following the shocking event that took place on the communal stairway in Malden Manor, Kingston, Greater London.

Mr Thompson and Ms Bedward alleged council contractors had said there was ‘nothing they can do’ about the fault that led to the leakage in the home the couple share with Ms Bedward’s daughters, Emily, 6, and Charlotte, 3.

A distraught Mr Thompson described the incident as stemming from ‘gross negligence’.

He added: If I’d been one step further back, my whole body would have been soaked in boiling water.

‘I had just returned from the school run with my partner when it happened, when the fire engine arrived they had to open all the flat windows just to let all the steam out!

The labourer had to get treatment at Kingston Hospital for the burns that covered his back and shoulders following the shocking event

 Mr Thompson said: ‘Now there’s a hole in the roof, and still, no one has come out to properly inspect the damage’

The young family had been living in the flat for a year and a half and say they feel let down by Kingston Council’s handling of the situation

‘My partner was dropping her kids’ scooters downstairs, and as I reached the top of the stairwell, the roof gave way and boiling water poured onto my back and neck – it was 20 litres of it.

‘I’m in so much pain, and I’ve had to have my dressings changed regularly – it’s completely stopped me from working’.

The young family had been living in the flat for a year and a half and say they feel let down by Kingston Council’s handling of the situation.

Mr Thompson said: ‘There have been six or seven inches of water throughout the property at times and multiple tenants in the building have reported the same problems, but the council and their contractors keep doing botched jobs.’

He also added that emergency response on the day of the accident was ‘inadequate’.

‘The fire brigade told us not to leave the house because it was unsafe, but the council’s contractor, Axis, didn’t arrive until 10pm,’ Mr Thompson said.

‘When they did, they said there was nothing they could do.

‘Now there’s a hole in the roof, and still, no one has come out to properly inspect the damage.’

Mr Thompson’s clothing was left covered in debris from the ceiling after the water tank burst above a communal stairwell

Mr Thompson claims he had complained to Kingston Council in London seven times this year about leaks and flooding before the nightmare event but all to no avail

Mr Thompson and Ms Bedward alleged council contractors had said there was ‘nothing they can do’ about the fault that led to the leakage

Ms Bedward described how she was particularly anxious about the impact on her children.

Mr Thompson said: ‘Her daughters have to walk past this unsafe area every day.

‘I can’t let this go on – it’s gross negligence.

‘This is their property – their responsibility. They said they’d send emergency repairs, but they’ve done nothing. It feels like I’m screaming into an echo box.’

He added he plans to pursue a personal injury claim to hold the council accountable.

‘I can’t stay silent about this,’ Mr Thompson said.

‘It’s a matter of safety for my family and everyone else living in this building.’

MailOnline has contacted Kingston Council for comment.