A Dundee mother and her young son have been left “practically homeless” after fire crews swooped on her flat by mistake during an alleged armed “siege” which was happening next door.
Patrycja Wieczorek, 34, said her Ann Street home has been left in an “uninhabitable” state with soaked walls, floors and furniture.
In addition, the property was left covered in debris including a ripped-out boiler, a sofa, planks of wood and a knife, none of which belong to her.
Armed police, ambulance crews and the fire service were all called to Ann Street in the early hours of Sunday amid reports of a disturbance and residents were evacuated as the area went into what locals described as “total lockdown.”
Patrycja, a hotel supervisor, said her 10-year-old son Philip is now too traumatised to return to the flat and they are having to stay with friends until they can be re-housed.
The news comes just six weeks after another Dundee family were left “terrified” when police barged through their home looking for a stabbing victim, after being sent to the wrong address in Gleneagles Road.
Patrycja said: “On Sunday police escorted us down the stairs and we spent the day with friends.
“Later the police phoned me to say it was safe to return to our home, but when we got there it was anything but safe – I was shocked to see the state of the place, it was uninhabitable.
“My son picked up a knife from the floor, our beds were flooded and so were the walls and floor, and there were bits of broken furniture thrown around everywhere.
“The police said that the fire brigade had gone to the wrong door. It all happened while we were away and I haven’t been able to get any information or help from anyone.”
Patrycja added her son already suffered from anxiety due to ongoing issues in the building, and is now refusing to return.
She said: “In the past we’ve had people fighting outside our door, banging on the door and shouting through the letter box.
“It’s got to the stage where my son throws up from fear every time there’s a noise. We’re now practically homeless because he’s too traumatised to return.”
Earlier this week, a man appeared in court accused of threatening police officers with a meat cleaver and knife at a flat in Ann Street.
Ryan Duke, 27, is also accused of barricading a property and pouring accelerant through a letterbox on Sunday.
Duke made no plea when he appeared on petition at Dundee Sheriff Court and was remanded in custody and committed for further examination.
A police source confirmed that fire crews had gone to the wrong door during the alleged incident on Sunday.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “It would be inappropriate to comment at this stage due to legal considerations.”
Dundee City Council did not respond to requests for comment on whether Patrycja and her son will be re-housed.
