A house on the Northern Ring in Kirov is at risk of being declared unsafe due to a chronic leak.

      In Kirov, the building at 16a Severnoye Koltso is at risk of becoming unsafe. Due to a chronic leak in the heating main, the building’s basement and foundation are being flooded, which could lead to subsidence. Residents complain of heavy steam in the basement, a “fountain” of water coming from the walls, and mold on the stair landings. Elvira Smirnova, a mother of several children, said her three-month-old became ill because of the dampness. The pediatrician who came to examine noted the smell of mold. The problem has been ongoing for several years. Last year the People’s Front found that the nearby heating main was to blame. At that time the utilities had no owner, but after activists intervened the city administration assumed responsibility for them. The mayor’s office assured that the utility company would fix the defect “in due course,” but residents say the situation keeps recurring. In addition, another problem was found in the basement — sewer pipes are leaking, which is the responsibility of the management company. Dmitry Sergeev, an expert with the People’s Front, stressed that the defects need to be fixed as soon as possible to prevent an emergency situation, and said a complaint has been filed with the prosecutor’s office.