Nine families have spent almost three months living in a Travelodge hotel after a fire broke out at their Birmingham apartment block.

Residents of the nine-flat block in Spreadbury Close, Harborne, were forced to leave their homes following the bin-store blaze on 12 August.

Despite being told electricity could be restored within days, the building remains uninhabitable and households are waiting to return.

Among the residents is Geoff Tedstone, who has been staying in a Travelodge in West Bromwich with several neighbours.

He praised the hotel and its staff but said the long wait to get back into his flat was frustrating. "The hotel is not home and we're all suffering here," he said.

Tedstone said residents had initially been told power could be restored within a week of the fire.

"Three months later, still no power," he said.

He explained he returns to his flat at least once a week, but the property remains unsuitable to live in.

"It's very nice to be back, but it's not the same because it's not warm and there is no light or power," he added.

"I've kept nagging the agents to sort something out, but they seem indifferent to it."

Tedstone also criticised what he described as a lack of communication from those handling the recovery work.

"I've said, 'please come back to me immediately' and they don't. Then they say, 'well, we didn't get back to you because there's nothing to tell', which isn't very inspiring to say the least."

Asked whether he was confident of returning home soon, he said: "No, not really."

He said residents had been given a provisional return date of 18 November and that his Travelodge stay had been booked until then.

"We will see how it goes," he added.

Property management company Cottons said in a statement the fire was believed to have been caused by a flammable item being placed in a communal refuse bin, causing significant damage to the building's electrical infrastructure.

The company said it fully understood residents' frustration over the length of time required to complete the repairs, but described the recovery work as an unusually complex project involving multiple parties.

"Throughout the process, residents have received regular updates regarding progress and timescales," the statement said.

It added alternative accommodation had been provided through the building's insurers and it was continuing to work with all parties involved to facilitate residents' return home as quickly as possible, while keeping them updated on the final stages of the repairs.

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