A tenant says he feels “humiliated” from allegedly being refused support after being evacuated from his home for days due to a gas leak.

Some 50 homes and 120 people were cleared from their homes in Malvern Road and Malvern Mews on January 4 after a 24-inch gas main ruptured.

As Cadent gas network engineers tried to stem the leak, they discovered a sinkhole four metres wide and four metres deep caused by a burst waste water main.

It meant that some households in Malvern Road were only able to enter their homes again by Tuesday (January 9) while essential repairs were made.

However, some residents in Malvern Mews are unable to have their gas supply restored up until mid-February, Brent Council has warned.

Amin Danesh, who lived in the area, claimed Brent Council was initially unhelpful with helping him find temporary accommodation.

He said that once they evacuated, people spent “a few hours outside in the rain”, without knowing what was going on or if they could return home soon.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Fire services near Malvern RoadFire services near Malvern Road (Image: London Fire Brigade)

Instead of staying at one of the rest centres set up by the council, he stayed the night with a friend.

Mr Danesh said: “On Friday, again they didn't provide us with any update or estimate. I was working until late that day and when I got back, the police stopped me and said there is no way you can go in the house.

“I asked where should I go, then to which they responded - to the church. I went to the church and it was closed.”

He claims that after ringing a council number at the door, he was finally able to get through at 11pm and was told someone would ring him back shortly. It was only at 1.20am, when he had given up and gone to a hotel, that he had a call back.

After he called back on Saturday (January 6), Mr Danesh claims he was told: “Because you are a single male adult, you are not a priority, and we can’t provide you with any housing.”

Brent & Kilburn Times: Firefighters at the sceneFirefighters at the scene (Image: London Fire Brigade)

In response, Mr Danesh says he asked if he should freeze on the streets and he says he was told: “You are a grown-up, you should be able to sort out a place for yourself.”

It was only by Sunday that Brent Council was able to help out with a hotel room and only this week that he was able to return home.

He said: “In the past few days, I felt helpless, stressed and humiliated. They treated us as if we caused the problem and we were a burden.”

Now that he has settled back home on Tuesday (January 9), he is trying to figure out if he can seek compensation for his hotel room.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said: “Over the past few days, we have been working extremely hard with Cadent and Thames Water to identify and understand the scope of repairs needed to fix the gas leak, collapsed sewer, and sink hole damage.

“Unfortunately at this stage after detailed assessment of the damage, engineers from the council, Thames Water and Cadent estimate completion by mid-February.

“This has been a complicated and fast-moving incident, evacuating residents late at night, ensuring everyone’s safety and helping residents who were unable to stay with friends or family into accommodation during this time.

“Residents impacted by the incident are being offered additional support by Cadent based on individual needs. Email wecare@cadent.com or call 0800 389 8000.”