Hundreds of residents of four tower blocks in Camden, north London, have spent the night in emergency accommodation after they were told to leave their homes amid fire safety fears.
Th
e blocks, containing up to 800 households, were evacuated following news that similar cladding was used on the Chalcots Estate to that which spread the Grenfell Tower fire in Kensington earlier this month.
Council leader Georgia Gould said that, following checks, insulation was found to be safe but external cladding on the blocks was not up to the standard that we wanted and was not fire retardant.
She added that the really, really difficult decision had been made to evacuate the blocks while urgent fire safety work is completed.
It is thought the work will take three to four weeks.
We realise that this is hugely distressing for everyone affected and we will be doing all we can, alongside the London Fire Brigade and other authorities, to support our residents at this difficult time, Ms Gould said.
The Grenfell fire changes everything – we need to do everything we can to keep residents safe.
Ms Gould added: I know this is difficult but. I don’t believe we can take any risks with our residents’ safety and I have to put them first.
We know it’s a scary time but we’ll make sure they’re safe.
The Taplow residential tower block is seen on the Chalcots Estate in north London on June 23, 2017 Many residents were moved out overnight and sent to a rest centre at Swiss Cottage Library before council workers allocate them accommodation in hotels or, if possible, with family and friends.
In a statement issued at 1.24am, a spokesman for Camden Council said: So far we have secured hundreds of hotel beds for Chalcots residents.
We’re encouraging all residents to stay with friends and family if they can, otherwise we’ll provide accommodation.
Swiss Cottage rest centre is nearing capacity so we’ve secured more space at the Camden Centre King’s Cross.
The refuge centre for residents of the Chalcots Estate Specialist staff are on the ground to assist residents with care needs. Pets are also welcome at both rest centres and hotel accommodation.
The Chalcots estate has five tower blocks – four 22 storey blocks and one 18 storey block. Blashford Tower, which is the shorter block, did not have to be evacuated as initially stated.
Taplow resident Shirley Phillips said she had only heard about the evacuation on Sky News, adding: I’ve got a little bag together. I’ve got some underwear, some dog food, a night gown. I haven’t got anything else.
Grab Residents leaving Taplow Tower on Chalcots Estate She said: “They’ve had the fire brigade here all day, Camden Council, police. why have they left it ’til 8.30 at night to start get residents out. Where do they think we’re all going?”
Other residents said the evacuation was an over-reaction.
Edward Strange said: We’ve had two fires here since the cladding was put on and both fires didn’t spread so I don’t see what the problem is.
It’s a complete over-reaction, it’s ridiculous.
Grenfell Tower was engulfed in flames Bob O’Toole from the residents’ association said he had only been told about the evacuation about an hour earlier, adding: We want to keep the residents safe – we don’t want any more disasters.
I’m at a loss as to why Theresa May has not convened (emergency committee) Cobra today to get emergency arrangements led by central government to support local authorities, to give the residents the necessary reassurance and address this issue.
Correspondent Paul Kelso said: It did not feel like a situation yesterday where they were going to be evacuating people but clearly they discovered something.
It’s obviously a tragedy and scandal in west London at the Grenfell Tower but it’s now emerging as a picture of a national scandal.