Dagenham tower block fire raises fresh cladding fears

Residents flee burning building in early hours of the morning

- HOLLY BANCROFT ALEXANDER BUTLER MILLIE COOKE

An investigation has been demanded into the role of flammable cladding after a “terrifying” fire at a London tower block – seven years after safety concerns were raised by the Grenfell disaster.

Residents told how they fled a burning building, in the Freshwater Road area of Dagenham, in the early hours of yesterday. Some said they were coughing up black soot after inhaling smoke and had lost their belongings in the blaze.

More than 80 people were evacuated and two were taken to hospital. All residents have been accounted for and an investigation into the fire has been launched, the London Fire Brigade said. Brigade commissioner Andy Roe said there were “fire safety issues present within the building”.

The block, which was covered in scaffolding, was also undergoing “remedial” work to remove and replace “noncompliant cladding” on the fifth and sixth floors, according to a planning application document. The role of cladding in the fire will form part of the fire service’s investigation.

It comes just a week before the publication of the final report of the inquiry into the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, which saw the deaths of 72 people after a fridge fire spread rapidly due to flammable cladding on the exterior walls.

Local Labour MP Margaret Mullane said yesterday’s fire had resulted in minimal injuries thanks to the swift response of the emergency services. She added: “There needs to be a full investigation into the cause of this fire, and why, seven years on from Grenfell, unsafe cladding was still in the process of being removed.

“However, my initial actions will be to help the victims of this terrible tragedy, all in absolute shock, as they are moved into temporary accommodation and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.”