Tolland residents say they live in a state of constant fear, following another two apparent arson attacks on their block of flats in Bruce Street.
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Firefighters rushed to the social housing units about 7pm on Tuesday in response to two fires outside separate units.
Turvey Park Fire and Rescue crews were able to extinguish both fires and prevent them from spreading to the neighbouring units.
Sallie Gorham said she had been trying to escape that block of units ever since she moved in a year ago, but has been repeatedly denied by the Department of Housing.
The 37-year-old said life in the Bruce Street units was unbearable for her and her partner Jason, who helped douse the fire outside the unit above their flat.
"I've gone from 100 kilos to 70 just from stress. Something needs to be done about these flats," Ms Gorham said.
"The windows are smashed, look at all the graffiti. There's drug paraphernalia everywhere you walk, there are syringes, there's needles."
She says their home has been burgled three times in the past year, and on one occasion the offenders even stole their dog. The dog was later retrieved.
On another occasion, Jason said he returned home one day to find a burglar in the act, and they fled from the window upon being spotted.
Ms Gorham said she is worried to leave her own home at night for fear of being mugged or raped by the gangs she said regularly walk through the area.
Her fears are shared by another occupant, Jacqueline Reay, who says life in the Bruce Street flats is harming her health.
"I've lost 25kg since I've been here. I've been broken [into] 10 times and [the Department of Housing] still haven't moved me," Ms Reay said.
"I've lost nine grand worth of furniture, I've lost a car and everything in just one year."
The 43-year-old had to extinguish the remaining embers that lingered around from her neighbour's unit, which was one of the flats that was allegedly torched.
Fire and Rescue NSW Turvey Park station officer Justin Bentley said that particular block of units was very well known to firefighters.
Mr Bentley said crews had attended six to 10 jobs at the complex in the last few months alone.
He said crews had managed to extinguish Tuesday night's fires, and that there should be no further danger to the neighbouring residents for the time being.
"We've conducted an overhaul and made sure there's no extension into the other units and the roof and are allowing the occupants neighbouring to go back in," Mr Bentley said.
"Police are dealing with the incident itself and will notify the Department of Housing to make arrangements."
Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
