A COUNCIL flat destroyed in a fire remains a 'burnt out shell' - two years after the blaze.

Nearby residents have noticed how the flat, on Alder Close, Taunton, has not been cleared by the council after the fire which took place on September 1, 2017.

Somerset County Gazette:

RESPONSE: The flames coming from the flat 

The block of six flats were evacuated at the time while emergency services tackled the flames.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said one flat was '90 per cent' damaged in the blaze.

One resident noted how she thought there was a 'housing shortage', so questioned why the council had not brought the flat back up to standard.

Somerset County Gazette:

INCIDENT: The remains of the flat after the fire 

Somerset West and Taunton Council, the authority responsible for the council flat, said the property needed 'extensive repairs', but work to repaint the flat has started.

A spokesperson for SWT said: “Following a thorough condition survey it became apparent that the property needed extensive repairs requiring specialist attention.

"A detailed schedule of works has been drawn up and the council is now in the process of procuring a contractor for this work.

"The council has been monitoring the property to ensure public safety and hopes to see the work completed soon.”