Hundreds of London council flats hurriedly evacuated over fire safety concerns in aftermath of Grenfell Tower blaze
The cladding on the Grenfell Tower has been widely blamed for spreading the fire that so quickly engulfed the block last week, leaving 79 people presumed dead
Baffled and bewildered, residents of five London tower blocks were dragging their belongings through the dark streets early on Saturday, having been told to pack their bags and get out due to fire safety concerns.
“It’s totally crazy. What difference would another night have made?” asked Melanie Tham as she evacuated her home on the Chalcots Estate in north London following a snap decision by the Camden Council local authority, a few hours before midnight on Friday.
Urgent tests found on Thursday the Chalcots buildings had similar cladding – installed by the same contractor in 2006. But fire brigade safety inspections on Friday determined that the towers were unsafe to spend another night in, with the council owners taking no chances.
Lots of questions from residents about why this move is essential. Firm advice from fire service was blocks not safe to sleep in tonight
“I was at my boyfriend’s, I received a text message, and I had to rush back home. They told us we had to evacuate before midnight,” Tham said.
