Police were called to intervene in a fight between OAPs at a seniors' housing complex over the position of a flower vase.
Officers attended flats in Exminster, Devon, following a report of aggressive behavior after neighbors argued over the placement of a vase of fake flowers in a communal hallway.
One tenant claimed the flowers posed a fire risk and posed a threat to others on the block.
Video footage taken by residents appears to show a property employee knocking on the door of one of the retirees and explaining that the toilet is a “fire problem”.
The company that manages the apartments – The Guinness Partnership – was called in to investigate, but unhappy with the outcome, a neighbor phoned the police.
Residents Ian Hunter (left) and Thomas Dunn (right) stand in the hallway after police were called to intervene in a fight between OAPs at a retirement community
Police were called to the apartment by one of the residents, but confirmed that everything was in order.
Upon arrival, the administration asked residents to remove the flowers and place them in one of their apartments.
However, shortly after, residents decided they wanted the flowers to remain on the common windowsill to “brighten up the place”.
Residents then say the other tenant called the police, who say they were called for a report of “aggressive behavior.”
A video filmed by one of the residents showed them outside the building with several other people and two police officers.
Officers asked anyone not involved in the incident to leave – but the filmer appeared reluctant to do so.
'Maybe we can help you, we all live here,' he is heard saying.
A resident wearing a red striped top is heard telling officers: 'The guy is Ian. He is putting [the vase] in violation of fire regulations.
He continued: 'These people have an attitude. They will not respect any part of the living conditions because Tom has an attitude.
'Tom is under the [misunderstanding] that he can put anything on your doorstep because he believes in freedom of speech.'
Thomas Dunn said: 'We just wanted to brighten up the place with some red flowers'
Ian Hunter said: 'I decided to put flowers on the window landing and suddenly all hell broke loose'
One of the residents called the police after becoming so concerned about the 'fire risk'
Residents go on to suggest that a “restraint order” is being sought against one of their neighbors and allege that he had already been accused of “coercive behavior”.
Residents also argued over the video of the confrontation, with one asking: 'Can you get that out of my face please?'
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed when they attended that everything was in order.
Ian Hunter, who placed the flowers, said: 'I decided to put flowers on the window landing and suddenly all hell broke loose.
'All over a bunch of flowers – it seems childish and pathetic. People from the Trust said there was a fire risk.
'I couldn't believe what was happening. I gave the flowers to Tom, I'm tired of looking at them now.
Thomas, a resident and friend of Ian, said: “The guy complained to the police and two officers turned up because of it.
“For some strange reason, the Guinness Partnership turned up on the day he reported what had happened and told us we would have to remove the flowers.
“They were just plastic flowers in a vase at the top of the communal stairs that lead to the apartments of two of my friends.
Apartment managers informed residents distributing the flowers that this was a fire safety issue.
Officers were escorted to the apartment complex by one of the residents
'We just wanted to brighten up the place with some red flowers. The police were just trying to pacify, I guess.
'If they really thought there was a fire risk, why didn't the fire department turn up?'
A Guinness Partnership spokesperson said: “Common corridors are shared spaces for all residents to use and enjoy.
“A resident did not want the artificial flowers to be displayed and asked for them to be removed.
'We understand that a resident may have called the police following a disagreement about this.'
Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Police were called at 3.50pm on September 27 to Deepway Lane, Exminster, following a report of aggressive behavior at a property.
'An officer attended and confirmed that everything was in order.'
