A month after a fire tore through a flat on the 17th floor of an east London tower block, killing one man and forcing hundreds of people from their homes, many residents are still waiting to find out when they will be allowed back.
The blaze broke out on 13 September at the 22-storey Neutron Tower on Blackwall Way in Poplar. London Fire Brigade said the fire was believed to have been accidental.
Residents remain in temporary accommodation while safety checks and repair work continue, with no date set for their return.
FirstPort said assessments had been completed and contractors were due to start work, while Notting Hill Genesis said it was supporting residents and working to get them home.
Natasha Parcell, 33, has lived in her two-bedroom flat in the building for 10 years. She owns a 25% share of the property through a shared ownership scheme with housing association Notting Hill Genesis.
Parcell is living in temporary accommodation which she is not paying for, although she says she is still spending almost £2,000 a month in rent, mortgage payments and service charges for her Neutron Tower flat.
“We want to have empathy, we just want people to understand it’s hugely disruptive, we just want to know when our lives are going to go back to normal,” she said.
“We’ve just not been given any indication as to how long this is going to be,” Parcell added.
“As far as I’m aware, my Airbnb is actually booked until January at the moment. I think the indication is that we would be returning sooner, but I know other residents have now been booked until February.
“So again, it’s very difficult to plan your life.”
Parcell said she was also worried her monthly service charge of £660 could be increased.
She said residents had “no more information” than they did four weeks ago and added that there was currently no electricity in the flats.