COMPLAINTS have been made after a fire bell was left ringing at sheltered accommodation for more than three hours.

A false alarm triggered the fire bell at Alderman Howe Lodge in Colchester.

And as well as the noise continuing for hours, one resident at the accommodation raised security concerns as the front doors could not be shut while the alarm was going off.

Jim Ramplin, who has lived at the building in Highwoods, Colchester, for more than three years, said he understood it had been a struggle to find someone to turn off the alarm.

Mr Ramplin said: “We were told first of all that someone from social services was coming and then we were told that someone from Frinton was coming.

“Why it’s necessary for someone to come all the way from Frinton to turn it off when they have an office in the town centre is beyond me.

“You would’ve thought that someone would be straight over as soon as the alarm started going but apparently not.”

Alderman Howe Lodge has 33 flats and is managed by Colne housing association which has an office in Causton Road in Colchester town centre - three miles away.

Mr Ramplin said the bell first started to sound at about 9am on December 1 and two fire engines were at the flats quickly.

He added he was worried because the front door to the building could not be shut.

He said: “With that door wide open any Tom, Dick or Harry could walk in if they wanted to.”

Helen Gregory, Colne Housing’s operations director, apologised for the inconvenience caused by the incident.

She said: “Colne Housing takes the safety of our customers seriously.

“The fire alarm at Alderman Howe Lodge in Highwoods went off and this automatically activates the main door to open so Essex Fire and Rescue can get into the building.”

She added: “It was a false alarm and our fire safety contractors took longer than usual to reach the building.

“Colne is sorry for any inconvenience this caused and will continue to work with residents to learn lessons.”