A DEAF resident who was the last man to be evacuated from his flat in the midst of The Cube fire says he is being denied compensation from a fund set up to help those affected by the devastating blaze.

David Vaughan, who lives in the neighbouring The Picture House complex, is deaf and says he was the last resident to evacuate the building.

He contacted The Bolton News in a desperate effort to get compensation for “stress, depression, shock” from the fund, which was made up of donations from the public.

The fund was set up to help those forced to flee their accommodation after the fire broke out The Cube, Bradshawgate in November.

Residents at neighbouring flats in The Arches, The Picture House, Anvil, Sun Alliance were also affected.

But Bolton Council says the fund was not a compensation scheme but a way of helping people ­— and added that Mr Vaughan had submitted his form three weeks after the deadline had passed, when all the money had been allocated.

However, the council added that there were other forms of help and support available to those who needed it.

In an email to Bolton Council, Mr Vaughan who works in IT in the NHS said: “I wish to claim for stress, depression, shock and having to stay at friend's home at no charge and not being able to work for six days in the same clothes.

"On top of this, I am deaf and was the last person to leave the building on fire night because I could not hear what was going on.

"I am out of pocket for spending on foods and toiletries.

“If I do not get compensated for this and or get this matter resolve, then I will have no alternative but to take legal action.”

He told The Bolton News: “I’m deaf and it’s disgraceful the way they have treated me.”

A council spokesperson said: “The fund was set up through kind donations of local people who wanted to help those affected in the immediate aftermath of the incident. It was never intended as a compensation scheme.

“The December 6 deadline was set up to ensure all the money could be allocated as quickly as possible and application forms were hand delivered to everyone living in nearby buildings.

“Unfortunately, Mr Vaughan returned the form three weeks after the fund had been fully distributed. He has however received support and advice from the British Red Cross and other agencies, and that emotional wellbeing support is still available.”

The fund was set up with donations from the public and a contribution from the Greater Manchester Relief Fund. It received 190 applications. Residents directly affected by the fire received an amount based on how many nights they spent away from their home and any other hardships that they faced.