Families moving out over asbestos

The flats were sealed off after the asbestos disturbance in November

More families will have to be shifted out of their homes as a result of an asbestos disturbance in Fife.

Contractors replacing water tanks disturbed brown asbestos at a block of flats in Fraser Avenue, Inverkeithing, in November 2007, forcing evacuations.

In a report, Fife Council has now said people living in three neighbouring blocks will have to move out for two weeks each to remove asbestos there.

The tenants who were forced out still have not been permanently rehoused.

HSE orders

Head of Housing, Derek Muir, told councillors: "The Health and Safety Executive have instructed the council to remove the asbestos from the lofts in the other three blocks in Fraser Avenue.

"This will require the tenants of each block to be decanted for approximately two weeks."

A review into what led to the disturbance is still being carried out by Fife Council.

Independent loss adjusters have been appointed to calculate the value of the property which had to be destroyed.

The block was completely sealed off following the incident and only credit cards which could be wiped clean were permitted to be removed.

All of the tenants' remaining possessions had to be destroyed.

The loss adjusters are examining photographs and video footage from inside the properties.