Dagenham fire at block of flats with ‘known safety issues’. (I think in the middle of cladding removal). Injuries, but hopefully no fatalities. Seven years after Grenfell and these blocks remain unsafe. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/arti... - ThreadSky

nearlylegal.co.uk • 210 days ago

Dagenham fire at block of flats with ‘known safety issues’. (I think in the middle of cladding removal). Injuries, but hopefully no fatalities. Seven years after Grenfell and these blocks remain unsafe. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/26/apartment-block-dagenham-fire-london-latest-updates-today-lfb

Comments

kevconroy.bsky.social•208 days ago

The problem with blocks of flats is developer makes them, sells the block to a pensions trust (who buys it assuming it’s just a nice investment) then faulty cladding is found, so who’s at fault? Builder? Owner? Builder probably has dissolved so then owner has to find funds via govt.

krishunnisett.bsky.social•210 days ago

Everyone accounted for thank goodness. It’s unbelievably that this is still going on

annaclarke.bsky.social•210 days ago

Yes, BBC article says it was in the middle of cladding removal (hence had scaffolding up, which also caught fire, possibly contributing to spread?) Has taken far too long to remove cladding.

0xcd16.bsky.social•209 days ago

This is worth a read (short and to the point). As someone stuck behind scaffolding for several months now with the cladding (thick slabs of polystyrene aka EPS) still on, I'm thrilled that a tonne of wood has been added to our already very flammable facade.
https://www.cross-safety.org/uk/safety-information/cross-safety-report/potential-impact-scaffolding-fire-safety-1153

0xcd16.bsky.social•209 days ago

There are unconfirmed reports that the fire started on the ground floor. Per the planning application, only the top two floors (permitted development on top of the original 5-storey office block) were being remediated. So how did the fire get there?
https://online-befirst.lbbd.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=32262

annaclarke.bsky.social•209 days ago

This link won't open for me for some reason

0xcd16.bsky.social•209 days ago

It works for me (clicking on the link in my post). Here are the screenshots.

ahillslegal.bsky.social•210 days ago

This is just horrific. The government have got a lot to answer for in the snails pace of remediation! (Mines still not finished, 5 1/2 years after we first found out about the defects).

Thoughts are with all residents 💔

edwarddglewis1.bsky.social•210 days ago

I can't wait to see what the final Grenfell report says in a few weeks time having worked on many of the claims for nearly 2 years.

nearlylegal.co.uk•210 days ago

Yes indeed. My firm acted in the inquiry.

nearlylegal.co.uk•210 days ago

For residents, I should be clear…

edwarddglewis1.bsky.social•210 days ago

Me too

philipjtaylor.bsky.social•210 days ago

Our insurers won't allow our resi conveyancers to accept instructions on flats above a certain height.

nearlylegal.co.uk•210 days ago

No, this is widespread.

philipjtaylor.bsky.social•210 days ago

I suspected as much!

martymcd.bsky.social•210 days ago

Top floor was still on fire at 5pm, looks like they were letting it burn out

nearlylegal.co.uk•210 days ago

And today another fire at New Providence Wharf development (end of article). Thankfully quickly controlled. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/26/questions-over-cladding-after-fire-at-dagenham-flats-brought-under-control

alanlamb.bsky.social•210 days ago

I think we need to be careful about direct comparisons with Grenfell. Combustible cladding shouldn't be anywhere near buildings but in Grenfell there was a catalogue of disasters: fire doors not working; faulty suppression systems; faulty ventilation; 1 point of escape etc...

alanlamb.bsky.social•210 days ago

The building height here is also lower pushing this into a lower design risk group too. No excuse of course for the cladding type. I do agree that while work is being done it needs to be accelerated a lot quicker.

But let's not draw direct comparisons to Grenfell here.

nearlylegal.co.uk•210 days ago

I didn't make a direct comparison. I simply pointed out that 7 years after Grenfell, inflammable cladding should not be left on any higher risk buildings (this was over 5 storeys, so a high risk building. Not 'lower risk'). This building had a fire enforcement notice in 2023.

nearlylegal.co.uk•210 days ago

As to other risks, neither I nor you know whether there was a single staircase, and the state of fire doors etc. Maybe best not leap to any conclusions in that regards?

alanlamb.bsky.social•210 days ago

But we do. Cavity barriers were also faulty and incorrectly sized with a clear cavity allowing for a ploom effect without adequate compartmentation. It's all documented evidence within the enquiry. Stuff burns, steel yields under heat, non-combustible means it has a fire rating.

alanlamb.bsky.social•210 days ago

Cladding becomes a danger when there is fuel to feed it.

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