Crayford flooding: Cars crushed against ceiling after floodwaters raise polystyrene floor of car park

A number of vehicles have been damaged and households across Kent have been without water after a 24-inch pipe burst in Crayford, south east London.

Up to 16 cars were damaged when insulation for an underground car park absorbed flood water and became swollen in Crayford’s Town Hall Square development.

There was also travel disruption as roads were flooded and closed off by the authorities.

The leak began in the early hours of Sunday but was described by a Thames Water spokesman as an “extremely difficult repair” which suffered a “major setback”.

Works continued late on Sunday afternoon.

Sadia Farzana Chitra, 42, left her black Ford Fusion in one of the affected parking spaces on Saturday, and returned to find it ruined.

The mother of two told the Press Association: "My car is crushed, the roof is gone, the ground has come up - it is a bad architectural design.

"I had another of my neighbours with me and her car was okay, but we were told we cannot move it because there is a possibility with the pressure of the car there could be a blast because of the gas inside, or something. It can blow up the whole building."

She added: "The problem is who to contact. Someone has said the car insurance might not cover it because it didn't happen from the driver. We are in really, really bad shape."

Water was cut off from houses from eleven postcodes across south London and Kent, affecting homes in Dartford, Bexley and the surrounding area.

While most supplies had been fixed by Sunday afternoon, some residents in the DA5 post code experienced low pressure or no water.

Bottled water was also given out to residents.

Thames Water has apologised to people affected by the leak.