Residents of a block of flats in Dagenham are feeling abandoned after a devastating fire tore through the Spectrum Building in east London. The response from the management firm and building owner has been criticized as “woeful” by the local council, who have had to step in and provide support to residents who lost everything in the blaze.
The fire broke out during works to remove dangerous cladding from the building, causing residents to scramble for their lives in the early hours of the morning. Many residents reported that fire alarms did not sound, and escape routes were padlocked, forcing some to climb fences to escape. Kasia Stantke, a 43-year-old management accountant who called the building home, described it as a “death trap.” She expressed outrage that fire safety issues had been ongoing for the past four years and called for those responsible to be prosecuted.
Residents who managed to escape the fire feel abandoned and insulted by the response they have received since the incident. A children’s nursery on the ground floor of the building has also had to relocate. The director of the management firm, Block Management, expressed sympathy for the residents but stated that they do not have a legal obligation to provide support to them. The freeholder of the building, Brijesh Patel, has not responded to calls or messages from concerned residents.
The local council has had to provide emergency help and accommodation to residents, spending over £500,000 so far. The leader of the council criticized the remote communication efforts of the management company and stressed the need for a change in attitude towards supporting residents in times of crisis. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has promised to support residents of the Spectrum building and accelerate remediation works to remove dangerous cladding from residential blocks across the country.
The investigation into the fire is still ongoing, with multiple agencies looking into the cause of the blaze. For residents like Kasia, the sight of scaffolding being erected outside her temporary accommodation has brought back traumatic memories of that fateful night. She expressed fear and anxiety about the future, unsure of what will happen next.
The incident in Dagenham highlights the importance of proper fire safety measures and the need for building owners and management firms to prioritize the safety and well-being of residents. The local council is calling for more powers to hold freeholders and management companies accountable in situations like this to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. Residents are hoping for swift action and support to help them recover from the trauma of the fire and rebuild their lives.
