A pregnant woman is calling for urgent action to clean up her fire-damaged council house before she gives birth.

Susan Ross-Williams in the fire-damaged kitchen of her home in Lindsey Avenue, Acomb

The kitchen of Susan Ross-Williams's home in Lindsey Avenue, Acomb, is a blackened mess following a chip pan fire at the weekend.

Council officials have told her repair work will not get under way until early September.

But the 39-year-old divorcee, who already has three children, is expecting her first child by boyfriend Mark Johnson at the end of this month.

Susan attacked the delay, saying: "I think it's disgusting to tell you the honest truth. I'm not sleeping at night and I'm still coughing from the fumes.

"Before long I'll be in hospital having the baby, but I can't bring it home to this. It's a disgrace."

Susan, who has held the tenancy of the house for about eight years, said: "This is the first damage that's ever happened."

The chip pan fire broke out on Saturday at about 2.30pm while she was out. "I was just coming up the road when I saw the fire brigade," she said.

Susan said Mark, 33, who lives at Old Earswick, had called round to have his lunch and had accidentally failed to fully switch off the gas ring after using the chip pan.

Mark followed the correct procedure to put out the fire - throwing a damp tea towel over the pan and turning off the heat - but the fire caused considerable damage to the kitchen.

Susan said: "My kitchen window has been set alight and it has burnt it all out. That should be the first thing on the agenda, getting that replaced.

"I also need three new cupboards and two new worktops to be put in, and they'll have to replace the ceiling that's all burnt."

Susan added: "I can't cook in there - I shouldn't even be living here at all until the repairs are done."

A City of York Council spokesman said they had responded properly and quickly in the circumstances. "Following the fire, we attended on an emergency basis at the weekend and did emergency repairs.

"On Monday, we sent somebody round to have a look at the property. It will take us some time to complete the repairs, which are going to be extensive."

The spokesman added: "After hearing about the circumstances, we're now going to offer this lady alternative temporary accommodation until the repairs are completed."

Later Susan said: "What the council has offered me is a bed-and-breakfast place. I can't take that in my condition."

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