Residents are hoping to return home to an apartment block in Maidenhead town centre today after 'very high levels' of carbon monoxide were detected over the weekend.
Emergency services were called to Providence House at about 7pm on Friday following reports of a gas leak.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Advertiser how she first realised there was a problem when she heard people shouting in the corridors.
The resident said: “For me, its been difficult mentally because I’ve never had a situation like this in my life.
“The alarms were not working as there was no smoke.
“I heard people running in the corridors shouting for people to get out.”
Thames Valley Police confirmed a section of the building had to be evacuated and about 40 residents spent the weekend in temporary accommodation.
The force said a number of people were also assessed by paramedics.
Providence House is owned and managed by Sainsbury’s, property management firm Encore and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.
Housing Solutions, which helps manage the borough’s affordable housing, provided an update to residents on Sunday about the suspected carbon monoxide leak.
A letter from chief executive Orla Gallagher said: “We understand that the source of the carbon monoxide may be linked to boilers serving the Sainsbury’s store beneath the flats.
“These boilers may have contributed to the carbon monoxide emissions, however, this has not yet been confirmed and remains under investigation.”
The housing association said there is currently no carbon monoxide present in Providence House.
Specialist testing of the boilers at Sainsbury’s is planned to take place today (Monday), Housing Solutions added.
The letter from Housing Solutions added: "Based on the information available today (Sunday), our preference is to support residents to return to their homes on Monday, January 19."
The resident who the Advertiser spoke to praised workers from Housing Solutions for their support over the weekend.
Carbon monoxide detectors will be installed in flats as a precautionary measure and firefighters from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be on hand to offer safety advice.
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