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Residents in Thames Ditton, Surrey were cut off from their water supply after a water main burst yesterday. Over 17,000 homes were without water and a further 200 were flooded, with the inundation also causing damage to nearby schools and forcing road closures.

No-one needed to evacuate their houses, but firemen said the waters were up to three feet (0.9 metre) deep in some areas, causing untold amounts of damage for hundreds of locals.

Thames Water, who owns the pipes, said it was caused by a 48-inch (1.2-metre) water main pipe bursting in the south-west London area and it apologised for not controlling the flow before it flooded the houses.

John Drudge, Surrey fire and emergency support service coordinator, told the Elmbridge Guardian: "It all happened very quickly so people were shocked. We were there to give them a hot drink and advise them on what to do next. We helped a lot of people find places to stay."

It is still unclear how much damage the flood waters have done and residents are now worried that they will have to claim on their home insurance to replace their possessions.

One lucky resident managed to save some of his most prized objects with the help of the firemen's helmets, according to the Sun.

Stockbroker Derek Paul was made to look rather amusing as he, along with some of the fire service, chased around the outside of his house, rescuing his Koi carp. Six of the fish were captured by the firemen, saving Mr Paul a whopping £9,000.