A young mother from Manchester has been plunged into a living nightmare, fearing for her life and the safety of her infant son after witnessing dangerous electrical sparks and smoke emanating from her neighbour's flat, in an incident that has exposed a shocking fire safety failure.
Mia O'Brien, 22, described the terrifying moment her partner saw "sparks flying out of the socket" in the flat above theirs in a property on Wilbraham Road, Chorlton. Instead of a swift resolution, Mia's desperate pleas for help were met with what she calls a complete lack of urgency from their managing agent, Centrick.
A Mother's Terrifying Ordeal
The crisis began when Mia's partner alerted her to the alarming sight. "My partner came in and said, 'You need to go upstairs, there's sparks flying out of the socket in the hallway,'" she recounted. Upon investigation, Mia was met with a cloud of smoke and a potent burning smell, a clear indication of a severe electrical fault that could have sparked a devastating blaze at any moment.
With her one-year-old son in the same building, Mia's immediate concern was for their survival. "I was so scared for mine and my son's life... It could have burnt down with me and my son in it," she expressed, highlighting the grave danger they faced.
System Failure and Negligence
The situation worsened due to an appalling breakdown in communication and responsibility. The managing agent, Centrick, allegedly failed to take immediate action. Mia was left navigating a labyrinth of emergency numbers, only to be told the issue was not their problem but that of the upstairs landlord.
This passing of the buck left a critical electrical hazard unresolved for hours, showcasing a dangerous flaw in the duty of care owed to tenants. The fire service, upon eventually being called, confirmed the seriousness of the fault, but the damage to Mia's sense of security was already done.
The Aftermath: A Family Left in Fear
While the immediate sparking has stopped, Mia's ordeal is far from over. She continues to report a persistent burning smell, leaving her in a state of constant anxiety. "I don't feel safe... I shouldn't have to live like this," she stated, capturing the ongoing distress and the failure of the housing system to protect vulnerable tenants.
This incident raises urgent questions about landlord accountability and the enforcement of fire safety regulations in rented properties across the UK. Mia's story is a stark warning and a call to action for better protection for renters.
