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Barking fire: residents’ lawyer slams ‘scandalous’ return of housing association tenants
The lawyer representing tenants living at the Barking development that was hit by a devastating fire in June has slammed Southern Housing Group’s decision to allow residents to return to their homes, calling the decision “scandalous”.
Kavita Rana, who is a partner at Edwards Duthie Shamash Solicitors, the law firm representing both social tenants and private leaseholders who lived in the Samuel Garside House blocks, said it was “alarming” that Southern Housing tenants were made to return to their flats despite hazards being identified on blocks elsewhere in the development.
In June a fire ripped through the Samuel Garside development, damaging 20 apartments and seeing two people treated for smoke inhalation. Thirty-two of the apartments at the development were Southern Housing’s properties.
Ms Rana told Inside Housing: “It is alarming that the tenants of Southern Housing Group were made to return to their flats, and yet serious category one hazards have since been identified.
“I think it is scandalous that they have been pressured to go back when there was no adequate assessment by Southern Housing Group.
“The fire should have been a wake up call. It’s as bad now as it was then.”
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Southern Housing has hit back at the claims, saying that none of its 32 properties were actually directly affected by the fire, no one had been “forced to return”, and to suggest that it didn’t prioritise the safety and well-being of its residents would be wrong.
The fire hit blocks C and D at the Samuel Garside House development. All of Southern Housing’s properties were in blocks A and B.
The majority of residents returned to their homes on 12 August. The return came despite private leaseholders in the block having alternative accommodation covered until the council completes a housing health and safety rating assessment, which is expected to happen in late October.
The residents’ return also came despite timber cladding and balconies still being present on the blocks. The wood used on the balconies was identified as Thermowood – a material that has a class D fire rating.
The block’s developer, Bellway, said after the fire it would consider treating the wood to make it more fire resistant. However, it has confirmed that it will no longer treat the wood and will instead focus on the “permanent solution” of removing the timber decking, which could take up to nine months.
One resident, who preferred not to be named, told Inside Housing: “It was like Southern Housing saying your place is fine, there is nothing else we can do for you, but we all know this place isn’t fine.” The tenant added that they have not gone out on the balcony since the fire.
In an email sent in August to Southern Housing, following the return of the tenants, Peter Mason, chair of the Barking Reach Residents’ Association, wrote to “protest that Southern Housing residents were being forced back before it was deemed safe”.
He called the decision a “blatant disregard for the safety of residents and demanded residents be given the option to remain in alternative accommodation”.
Southern Housing Group’s response
Chris Harris, executive director for customer services at Southern Housing Group, said: “Ever since the fire at Samuel Garside House was reported, my colleagues and I have focused on providing our residents with the support and assistance they needed to help them get their lives back to normal as soon as possible. Although none of the properties occupied by Southern Housing Group tenants were actually directly damaged by the fire, I understand how upsetting the evacuation and its aftermath were for residents.
“This is why we continue to liaise closely with those households with specific situations that mean they still feel that returning home is not yet right for them. We obviously cannot comment on the personal situations of individual residents, but I can assure you that no one has been forced to return. Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our residents. To suggest otherwise is simply wrong.
“The parties responsible for the building, its management and the fire safety measures undertook several risk assessments, including a Type 4 fire risk assessment, and swiftly acted on any recommendations.
“Clearly, it is important for people to be able to enjoy the comfort and familiarity of their own home, which is why Southern Housing Group has worked with the council and others to ensure that all of the flats are safe.”
