A burst pipe at Brisbane House, Tilbury, on Wednesday evening forced a temporary evacuation after flooding damaged the block’s electrical supply. Thurrock Council cut power to Brisbane House on utility advice and warned pumps serving nearby Freemantle and Tasmania houses — located in Brisbane House — could cause those blocks to run low on water overnight. Bottled water, emergency accommodation and a rest centre were arranged, and emergency repairs were scheduled for Thursday morning.
Burst Pipe Forces Temporary Evacuation at Tilbury’s Brisbane House
A burst pipe at Brisbane House, Tilbury, on Wednesday evening forced a temporary evacuation after flooding damaged the block’s electrical supply. Thurrock Council cut power to Brisbane House on utility advice and warned pumps serving nearby Freemantle and Tasmania houses — located in Brisbane House — could cause those blocks to run low on water overnight. Bottled water, emergency accommodation and a rest centre were arranged, and emergency repairs were scheduled for Thursday morning.
10:53 AM, 11/13/2025Society
Burst pipe forces temporary evacuation at Brisbane House, Tilbury
Residents of Brisbane House on Leicester Road in Tilbury, Essex, were temporarily displaced on Wednesday evening after a burst pipe caused flooding that affected the block’s electrical supply. Fire crews from the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called at 18:26 GMT and isolated the water supply.
Thurrock Council, which manages the tower, said it switched off power to Brisbane House on the advice of the utility company. The electricity cut affects only Brisbane House; neighbouring blocks Freemantle House and Tasmania House still have power but could see their water supplies reduced because their pumps are housed in Brisbane House.
"Because the power has been shut off in that block, the water in those blocks is likely to run out overnight, although their electricity is unaffected," the council said in a statement.
Council officers arranged emergency accommodation, set up a rest centre for residents who could not stay with family or friends, and are supplying bottled water. Vulnerable residents are being supported, and the council thanked residents, the emergency services and the British Red Cross for their help and cooperation.
Firefighters isolated the leak and emergency repairs at Brisbane House were scheduled for Thursday morning once conditions were safe. Brisbane House comprises 15 floors and 64 flats.
Agencies on scene: Thurrock Council; Essex County Fire and Rescue Service; British Red Cross.