By Aileen Robertson

INVERKEITHING RESIDENTS could sue the council over an asbestos incident last year which resulted in six households losing their homes and most of their belongings just before Christmas.

However, Fife Council blames building maintenance firm ECG Limited for what happened at the Fraser Avenue flats in November and would take the company to court if there were compensation claims.

Occupants of all six flats in a block were evacuated after contractors removing water tanks dislodged brown asbestos.

To avoid the risk of contact with asbestos fibres, which can cause cancers of the lung and chest lining, all the residents’ furniture, carpets, curtains and household appliances had to be destroyed.

The council has brought in an independent loss adjuster to estimate the value of the tenants’ belongings, bringing them closer to being compensated for the material cost of their ordeal.

But the affected families could still claim for the distress and disruption they suffered.

It is not yet known who would have to pay out. Lawyers for the council and the contractors are still trying to resolve that issue.

Senior housing manager Alan Russell said, “What we are trying to do at the moment is sort out the issue of compensation for furnishings and other material goods. We are doing that without accepting liability.

“If the tenants don’t accept what we offer them, or want to be compensated for distress and shock…they would have to sue the council. We would want to bring the contractors into any such action and the court would determine liability.”

Mr Russell recently met residents to discuss compensation.

“I think they are still angry about what happened to them, but we understand that and we’re trying to work with them to get this resolved,” he said.

“I think they have grasped the fact that the council, as a public body, can’t just throw money at them.”

He added, “We gave the tenants temporary furnished accommodation and some immediate cash help to cope with the short-term effects of the incident, but recognise that it will be difficult for them to be permanently rehoused until they are compensated for the loss of their belongings.”

The distress caused to the residents was “unquantifiable,” said Councillor Alice McGarry, who represents Inverkeithing.

She said, “Nothing can undo what has happened to them, it’s been awful, but at least we’re moving forward.

“The poor souls have waited a long time but at least the future is looking better for them now.

“And they’ve been told when they move they can take the furniture in their decanted properties with them. The council realises they don’t have money to buy furniture.”

Of the six households decanted after the incident, one has been rehoused and the council is trying to find accommodation for the other five.

None of the people who lived in the block will be going back to their old flats.

Brian Goodall, chairman of the council’s housing and communities committee, said, “This has been a traumatic and distressing time for all concerned. It is the correct moral thing for us to do as a responsible landlord to help these people.”

Councillors will consider a full report on the incident, which is being prepared.