We are deeply saddened by the fire which took place at a block of flats on Freshwater Road in Dagenham. Our thoughts are with everyone affected. We are relieved that there is no loss of life and grateful that all residents are safe and accounted for. We’re continuing to offer support to affected residents.
The building is privately owned, and no council tenants were living there. Block Management UK Ltd manage the building and we are calling on them to comply with their obligations to affected residents.
In these situations, the council’s primary role, with our partners, is to provide emergency humanitarian support to those evacuated from their homes because of a major event. In our humanitarian capacity we have supported over 80 people displaced by the fire.
Our support has included providing emergency accommodation for residents who were unable to return home and had nowhere else to stay. We remain in contact with those residents and continue to provide emergency accommodation whilst we discuss their individual needs around longer-term accommodation options.
Some residents have already moved into longer-term accommodation, and we’re continuing to arrange further viewings.
Since the early hours of Monday morning, the council provided a safe space for residents, with food, essential supplies and wellbeing support at an emergency rest centre at Becontree Heath Leisure Centre.
We then transitioned into a Community Assistance Centre in one of our own buildings – the Dagenham Learning Centre - where residents can access any support they may need. It’s open 12 – 4pm daily.
In addition to this, we’re providing further support through a virtual centre, with dedicated information and support available to affected residents online and by phone, as requested by residents.
Together with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, we will continue to press Block Management UK Ltd to meet their obligations to residents. We will also look to recover costs from responsible parties.
We want to thank the many residents who have come forward, offering help to those who have lost everything.
Right now, we’re asking people not to donate items, and we have set up a GoFundMe where you can contribute if you would like to support those affected to get back on their feet: www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-families-dagenham-fire-2024
If you’d like to help, this is the best way to do so. We know just how much those affected appreciate your contributions.
FAQ
SPECTRUM BUILDING
- Who runs and operates the Spectrum building?
Block Management UK Ltd manage the Spectrum building.
2. What type of cladding was on the Spectrum Building and who was contracted to remove it?
Planning drawings indicate that ‘Existing non-compliant TRESPA cladding panels and framing system’ was in place.
3. The planning application for cladding removal was granted in May 2023. Why has it taken so long to complete the works?
The planning permission granted stated that the works needed to be started within three years of the decision, which is the standard timeframe for any planning application.
4. How far along was the cladding replacement process?
Our understanding is that this was mostly complete, but this is a question for Block Management.
5. What are you doing about Block Management’s handling of this?
We have encouraged Block Management to meet affected residents, but they are yet to do so. We are working with the Government to ensure Block Management comply with their obligations.
Block Management UK Ltd should be leading on support for residents in this private block – they have a moral duty to do so.
6. Are the building’s owners assisting in the rehoming process and co-operating to a satisfactory level?
So far, we have taken the lead on supporting residents with their accommodation needs and we have encouraged the block’s management company to meet residents which they have yet to do.
FIRE AND INVESTIGATION
7. How many flats were entirely destroyed?
Our understanding is that the London Fire Brigade cannot access the site currently to determine this because it is structurally unsafe.
The Spectrum building has been cordoned off to keep everyone safe and contractors have began the process of removing any unsafe sections of the building. We expect the process to make the outer building safe will take a few weeks.
8. How many properties have been affected by the fire?
More than 80 residents from 60 flats have been displaced by the fire. The long-term effects from the fire on those properties is not yet known.
9. Will people be able to return to their homes?
The Spectrum building has been cordoned off to keep everyone safe and contractors have began the process of removing any unsafe sections of the building. We expect the process to make the outer building safe will take a few weeks.
We’re providing regular updates to affected residents.
10. How many floors does the building where the fire took place have?
There are seven floors including the ground floor which contains commercial units.
ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORT FOR RESIDENTS
11. Is there anywhere to donate items for the families?
We’re currently working with affected residents and coordinating support needed. We’ve been approached by so many people in the local community wanting to help, so we have set up an online Go Fund Me page. We’re asking residents to please not donate any physical items.
12. What is the council able to offer displaced residents?
In the early hours of Monday morning, we set up our rest centre to provide residents with somewhere safe to go and a base from which they could access a range of support including access to emergency accommodation, food, water, and wellbeing support.
We have since been providing a Community Assistance Centre in one of our own buildings – the Dagenham Learning Centre - where residents can access any support they may need. It is open 12 – 4pm daily.
We have sourced emergency accommodation for everyone who has been displaced and has nowhere else to stay.
We’re also working closely with affected residents on a case-by-case basis, based on their individual needs, to help them to secure longer-term accommodation options.
Some residents have already moved into longer-term accommodation, and we’re continuing to arrange further viewings.
In addition to this, we’re providing further support through a virtual centre, with dedicated information and support available to affected residents online and by phone, as requested by residents.
13. How many residents has the council supported so far?
80 residents came to the rest centre when the fire broke out and we are continuing to support 71 people.
14. Where will residents be housed as they now lack accommodation?
We have sourced emergency accommodation for everyone who has been displaced and was unable to make their own emergency arrangements.
We’re also working closely with affected residents on a case-by-case basis, based on their individual needs, to help them to secure longer-term accommodation options.
Some residents have already moved into longer-term accommodation, and we’re continuing to arrange further viewings.
16. Does the council have capacity to rehouse all those who need to be and keep them within borough?
We’re looking at a range of options on a case-by-case basis. As these residents are not council tenants, in some cases we will be able to move them into properties which are affordable but not council homes, in the borough.
17. What are the council’s legal responsibilities in this instance? Is it just to social tenants or is the council now responsible for all tenants?
As a local authority we have differing responsibilities towards all of our residents, and we are committed to assisting displaced residents where we are able to. We have sourced emergency accommodation to ensure everyone has somewhere to go and looking at longer term options for residents.
18. Why has the council set up a Go Fund Me page?
As has happened in previous emergency situations, our residents always rally together to offer their support. Lots of people have been in touch and want to help – we’re asking people not to donate items to the assistance centre as officers don’t have time to sort through everything, but instead to donate cash if they want to help. This will help the affected residents get back on their feet in the short term.