Posted on Monday 8 August 2020
Update on fire at Hadleigh House - 10 August 2020
Rehousing update
All tenants who were placed in a hotel have now been rehoused in self contained temporary accommodation until Hadleigh House is habitable again.
Moving back into Hadleigh House
We anticipate that residents with flats which are on the ground to third floor are likely to be able to return to Hadleigh House late Autumn/Winter 2020. Those residents on the fourth (top) floor are likely to be returning Spring/Summer 2021, due to more water damage being caused when the fire was extinguished and the need to replace the roof.
Progress of work
Works are proceeding in line with the programme and Health and Safety considerations. THH and the Bancroft Tenant Management Organisation remain in contact with all residents of Hadleigh House and continue to support them.
More information
Please contact us if you would like more information.
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Previous updates and useful information
The Bancroft Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) are pleased to advise that all residents are safe following the fire at Hadleigh House and are either staying with friends and family or in a hotel. We are now starting to make arrangements to move council tenants into temporary self contained accommodation and will be helping them with the move and furnishings. We are working with resident leaseholders on their temporary housing options and advising them on insurance claims. We are also working with the Housing Options Service at the Council on advice for privately renting residents.
The site is not available for access following confirmation from the Council's Building Control Department that it is a dangerous structure and that nobody must enter the building. Counselling information has been provided for all residents as this has obviously been a very distressing event and local groups have been very kind in offering support. Local Councillors have been highly visible and supportive during this difficult time.
Support for residents
Immediately after the fire we provided hotels and transport for 19 households. The hotel is providing food and funds have been provided for families to purchase essential items. We continue to provide written updates to residents twice a week along with meeting and individual discussions.
Next steps
We await updates from the London Fire Brigade (LFB), Building Control and structural engineers before we can report on how long it is likely to take to complete works and to get residents back into their homes. The LFB have reported on their website "The Brigade's Fire Investigation Team believe the fire was accidental and was caused by the unsafe disposal of a cigarette, which caught light to fibreglass framework covering pipes and spread to the roof." However Tower Hamlets Homes await formal notification of the cause. In the meantime, security arrangements are being put in place, with Heras fencing being set up on the perimeter of the block, ground floor flats front doors being secured and security patrols set up 24/7.
We will continue to update as more information becomes available. All enquiries should be directed to Simon James on 020 7364 5015.
Previous updates
Update - 28 May 2020
Following reports of a major fire at 1- 30 Hadleigh House, E1, Bancroft Estate, at around 03:00am on Thursday 28 May, the London Fire Brigade evacuated all residents and the Bancroft Tenant Management Office (TMO) office, at 12 Wickford St, Stepney E1 5QN was opened as a rest centre.
The site is not available for access following confirmation from Building Control that no one must enter the building.
Support for residents
Immediately after the fire we provided hotel and transport bookings for 19 households. The hotel is providing breakfast, lunch and dinner and funds have been provided for families to purchase essential items. Some residents made their own alternative accommodation arrangements, e.g. with friends and relatives; we are in contact with these people and can arrange accommodation for them if they need it at any time in the future.
Residents and emergency response teams from THH and the Council have been supported by onsite visits from the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillor McQuillan, Councillor Ahbab Hossain and Paul Davey, THH Director of Transformation.
Longer term rehousing options
It is possible that we will need to decant some tenants to alternative council properties if extensive works are required. We are working with the Housing Options to prepare to move households from the hotel accommodation to temporary accommodation in council units and will assist with furnishing vacant properties for families if this is needed whilst works are carried out. The Housing Options team can be contacted on: 020 7364 5000 or homeless@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Working with the Tenant Management Organisation (TMO)
We are conscious that this has been a stressful time for all affected residents and are working with the TMO to support residents with practical arrangements such as accessing wheelchairs, either from the property when safe to do so or with support from other services. THH and TMO officers are also working with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Emergency Community Care Coordinator to ensure key workers are aware of resident’s change in circumstances.
Supporting leaseholders
We are also writing to the 13 leaseholders from the block to keep them updated and to confirm arrangements they will need to make under their building insurance cover. Leaseholders are being advised that we have provided hotel accommodation for all residents to assist in the first instance. Leaseholders are expected to arrange their own alternative accommodation (and for their tenants if they’re subletting) as the hotel accommodation for leaseholders and their sub tenants will be until Monday, 1 June 2020.
Under the Council’s building insurance, leaseholders will be covered for:
• Alternative accommodation during the period the building is being worked on.
• Service charges – leaseholders will not be required to pay service charges from the day of the fire incident, and during the period they are not residing at their dwelling, until they have been advised the building has been restored into a habitable dwelling and of a date to move back in.
• Loss of income from their tenants
The building insurance does not cover:
• Loss or damage to contents in the home or to their tenants’ contents (if subletting)
• The cost of providing alternative accommodation for their tenant if the leaseholder is subletting
Where to get more help
Residents affected by the fire who need further assistance are advised to call the Bancroft TMC office on 020 7265 8343. In addition, the Bancroft TMC office at 12 Wickford Street is open and staffed during normal office hours. Julian Smith, Bancroft TMC Director can be contacted on 07990 279 691 or by email at Julian.Smith@bancroft tmc.org.uk. The Bancroft TMC will continue to be supported by THH Neighbourhoods Services: Nii.Thompson@thh.org.uk and Christine.Foley@thh.org.uk.
Contacting Tower Hamlets Homes (THH)
The THH contact centre is also available during office hours on 020 7364 5015 if required and can be contacted on the same number for out of office hours services.
Next steps
We await updates from the London Fire Brigade, Building Control and structural engineers to assess the site before we can report on how long it is likely take to complete works and to get residents back into their homes. THH have been informed that the cause of the fire investigation has been completed and we await that report.
In the meantime, security arrangements are being put in place with Heras fencing being set up on the perimeter of the block, ground floor flats front doors being secured and security patrols guarding the site 24/7. Another update will follow as more information becomes available.
Posted on Thursday 28th May 2020