Dagenham fire investigation will be complex, says fire chief

Barking and Dagenham Council has stated the constructing affected by Monday’s hearth was privately-owned, however that it was working to offer assist to residents.

“Along with our companions, now we have supplied entry to important providers, together with emergency lodging to residents who’re unable to return residence and have nowhere to remain,” it stated.

“Working with housing suppliers, we’ll proceed to assist residents to safe long term lodging.”

The considerations about hearth security have been echoed by Matt Wrack, normal secretary of the Fireplace Brigades Union, who stated firefighters have been being put in an “inconceivable place”.

He stated blocks such because the one in Dagenham must be designed to comprise a hearth in a single flat, however crews had arrived to discover a hearth “far worse than anticipated” with “bits of burning cladding falling from the constructing”.

“What should not be taking place is the hearth spreading throughout your complete constructing, because it has carried out, clearly, right here,” he stated.

He added his union had been warning about shortcomings in hearth security requirements since earlier than Grenfell and the tempo of change was “too gradual”.

“We don’t know the dimensions of that failure right here. But it surely appears to me that individuals are not taking hearth security in residential buildings significantly sufficient,” he stated.

“We’ve received a brand new authorities, and I hope they are going to sit up and take discover and work with us… to right this.”