Gas cut off because Leek house is 'cluttered'
ANGRY David Oultram has been left without gas for more than a week – after engineers claimed they could not work in his cluttered home.
The unemployed 56-year-old believes Moorlands Housing has put his life at risk by denying him heating and hot water as temperatures dip.
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IN THE COLD: David Oultram has had his gas supply cut off because his home is cluttered with belongings. Picture: Chris Huthwaite
But the social landlord says its engineers were unable to carry out essential servicing of Mr Oultram's boiler – because his Leek home was cluttered with belongings.
Health and safety rules meant they had to cut off the gas supply last Monday until the service could be carried out.
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But furious Mr Oultram, who suffers from arthritis and sciatica, believes the engineers could have worked around the clutter and should not have turned off his gas.
Mr Oultram, who lives in Wardle Crescent, said: "My mother and sister both died a couple of years ago, and they left me their belongings, and I have a lot of things in boxes and bags that have built up over the years.
"But there was enough room for them to do their work. I used to work as a painter and decorator and I sometimes had to work in a cupboard where you couldn't swing a cat.
"I think these gas engineers were just being awkward."
Mr Oultram has been left without the use of two gas fires, a cooker and a boiler since his gas supply was cut off.
An engineer returned yesterday and while his gas has not been reconnected, he has been left with four electric heaters as a stopgap measure.
Mr Oultram added: "I've been spending most of my time in bed because that's the warmest part of the house. I can't cook any food so I'm surviving on cold sandwiches at the moment.
"I've got my coat on all the time.
"They say my gas fires need replacing because they're too old, but that could take another two weeks. I could have frozen to death by then."
Nick Grubb, head of Moorlands Housing, insisted the gas engineers were prevented from doing their work.
He said: "We are legally obliged to undertake gas servicing in all of our properties once a year.
"When we attended Mr Oultram's property last week, we were unable to access the appliances due to a very large amount of Mr Oultram's belongings causing a significant obstruction which made servicing very difficult and posed a potential risk to the engineers.
"We informed Mr Oultram that we were unable to undertake the gas servicing and would return when we were able to gain access to the appliance.
"For health and safety reasons we were advised to suspend the supply pending Mr Oultram clearing the area so that we could safely service the boiler."
Comments
by ausiegirl
Thursday, November 15 2012, 2:34AM
“This man is a hoarder and needs mental health assistance. He cannot see the clutter the way you or I see it. It is not as simple of tydying things up. He needs theraputic help. However, he needs some assistance with the more pressing issue of the gas being off. Given the state of the home, the workers had no option but to turn it off. How they get to the point of turning it back on is another matter. If they can convice this man to let someone help move the clutter around where the workers can do their job, then they may be able to restore the gas. The problem is, hoarders will take hours or sometimes days just to go through the smallest pile of stuff. There is no easy solution for this situation but I doubt very much that is has come about simply from inherriting goods. The bereavement might have triggered it off in the first place but basically there is no cure.”
by dougalcross
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 8:43PM
“Surely we can all see that the man is simply recycling - cutting out waste!”
by stokeatheart
Monday, November 12 2012, 11:01PM
“Would you all be so sympathetic of the gasfitter who would be charged with manslaughter if this man died They dont do it be awkward its the law”
by jammie
Monday, November 12 2012, 3:35AM
“lmao...cluttered...really lol
im surprised they could even get in...how the hell did he find the phone to call them in the first place lol
if he's cold id suggest burning some of that clutter he doesnt want”
by Ed_ac
Saturday, November 10 2012, 8:02AM
“Mr Oultram appears to have an issue with hoarding, and he needs help/treatment for this. He has clearly turned his home into a fire/health risk, to put gas into that building increases this risk.
To that end, removal of the gas supply to his house is justifiable, however given the time of year, help needs to be given to him immediately.”
by Andrea2810
Friday, November 09 2012, 9:47PM
“@stokeandvale I really hope you don't come across hard times and then the media or ignorant people start judging you over the Internet.. How do you know about this mans condition? My aunty had sciatica and she could barely move her leg an inch off the floor.. Don't call people idle if you don't know their circumstances because it just shows how ignorant you are :/”
by stokeandvale
Friday, November 09 2012, 9:17PM
“Andrea2810
I agree idleitis is a terrible condition”
by lanternhead
Friday, November 09 2012, 6:48PM
“bottom right hand corner,is that someones leg.”
by johnwhite18
Friday, November 09 2012, 6:41PM
“Easy one to fix tidy it up Mr Oultram”
by Andrea2810
Friday, November 09 2012, 5:01PM
“Omg where do you people come from? A palace?!?! Evict him? What for?!?! A few boxes? I you read the article he said he's had two deaths and he inherited all the belongings.. I'm guessing he's sentimental about these items so gettin rid I proving difficult.. He's also ill. Sciatica is pretty painful and coupled with arthritis I'm sure it's dibilitating for him.. Instead of judging him via media go and help him if it bother you that much.. Just give the guy a break :/”