Wandsworth Council has announced plans to provide permanent housing for families left displaced due to a “life-altering” blaze at a council flat complex in Battersea, south London.
On the evening of September 10, over 100 firefighters responded to an urgent call at Fox House on Maysoule Road, where flames engulfed the fourth floor and roof.
Significant damage occurred within the building, resulting in around 150 residents being temporarily housed in hotels.
The local authority, which owns the property, reported that it has extended offers for permanent council housing to nearly all former residents who had a secure lifetime tenancy, while also assisting other displaced individuals with their relocating needs.
Shortly after the incident, some residents shared their fears with the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), worrying that they may have lost all their belongings.
Isabel Lubeiro, 59, a long-time resident of 26 years, expressed her devastation: “The smoke ruined everything. We likely lost it all.”
In the aftermath of the fire, Wandsworth Council provided immediate assistance to residents, including emergency shelter and vouchers.
During a recent council housing committee meeting, Labour councillor Sarah Davies voiced her deep sympathy for those affected, acknowledging the profound impact this event had on their lives. She praised the council’s efforts to offer personalized support to the victims.
Dave Worth, the director of housing services at the council, noted that they have managed to offer permanent alternative housing to about 27 out of 29 households from the block that had secure lifetime tenancies, while also assisting the remaining residents in their housing search.
Mr. Worth expressed his appreciation and pride in the staff who responded on the night of the fire and continued to assist thereafter. “It has truly showcased the council’s collaborative efforts across different departments,” he remarked.
The committee also discussed efforts to facilitate tenant access to the building so they could retrieve personal belongings, although unsafe conditions have hindered this process.
Another Labour councillor, Kate Stock, raised concerns among residents regarding the rapid spread of the fire, the prior assessments of risk by the authority, and what measures might be necessary, given the presence of other council blocks with similar designs in the vicinity.
Mr. Worth mentioned that the London Fire Brigade’s investigation has been delayed due to the unsafe state of the building, but the findings will be crucial for guiding future actions.
