A MASSIVE clean-up operation is under way at a Southampton block of flats after a fire on the top floor caused filthy water to seep into homes below.

Residents have been forced to rip up saturated carpets and say that an overpowering stench meant they stayed away overnight after the blaze broke out in a rubbish-clogged top floor flat.

Dad of three Jon Agrella, 29, now fears his children are at risk of infection after water used to put out the flames soaked through layers of rubbish and into his home.

"The carpet in the hall was just squelching, the bath is full of brown water and you can see where it's run down the walls," he said.

"The flat upstairs was full of rubbish and clutter and we had to stay with friends overnight because the smell was so bad.

"We've no idea what was in there and now it's coming down into our flat. My kids could catch anything from it."

The blaze broke out at the Mansel Road West flat at the same as council workers called round to visit 77-year-old Lilian Saunders, who lives on the top floor, after receiving complaints about rubbish. It was the officers who alerted fire crews - and evacuated neighbours from the six-flat block. Today, council officers are still trying to talk to Mrs Saunders, who is recovering in Southampton General Hospital, for permission to clear out her home.

Don Emery, 77, who has lived on the ground floor for 50 years, said: "The brown water has even soaked down as far as my flat and the kitchen floor is soaking wet.

"It's disgraceful really. We want to see the top floor flat properly cleaned and fumigated and something done about our homes too."

Officers from the council's housing department, environmental health and pest control all visited the block yesterday to inspect Mrs Saunders' flat and talk to residents.

A Southampton City Council spokesman said: "Environmental health have advised the tenants that there are no public health concerns in their flats as a result of the fire.

"These tenants have been advised to wash down any walls and surfaces affected by water staining with disinfectant.

"The council will reimburse tenants for the cost of these cleaning materials if necessary. Dehumidifiers have also been provided to help dry out their properties."