Landlord defends ‘unforeseeable delays’ to residents returning home after fire in block that injured five

The fire has left families staying in a hotel and relying on food vouchers as there are no kitchen facilities, leaving them frustrated and “feeling really uncertain”.

Orbit maintains that it “continuously updated” residents about the arrangements and the inspection of the building.

However, residents said they were expecting to return home on 19 March, only to be told one day before that this has been extended to at least the 25 March on a rolling basis due to a water tank damaged by the fire.

In a statement, Orbit said: “The mains electricity supply to the building was subsequently turned off due to the damage caused by the water used to control the fire. As a result, we arranged temporary accommodation for customers from all 60 flats.

“These initial arrangements were later extended until power could be re-established and other necessary repairs and safety tests completed. Customers were informed that these temporary arrangements would be in place until at least Monday 25 March.”

“Power has now been restored to the building and we’re making good progress on the essential work required to allow customers to return home safely.

“As we have progressed in the recommissioning of services to the block, however, we have discovered that the water tank for the block was unexpectedly drained as a result of damage caused by the fire and now requires replacing before customers are able to return home.”

A resident also told Inside Housing that they were confused about the evacuation strategy that was in place and only became aware of the fire after another resident knocked on their door. 

The landlord has since confirmed that the block has the stay put policy in place, which is why a communal alarm never went off in the building during the incident.

One resident told Inside Housing that while they fled, some stayed put, others used the stairs to flee the building and some even got in the lift.

Orbit explained: “The safety of our customers is our number one priority. Like many blocks of flats in England, Grange House is designed and constructed so that should a fire occur, it is contained within its flat of origin. 

“Customers are made aware of the fire evacuation procedure before they move into the building and via signage and information updates on electronic notice boards. In line with all relevant building safety regulations, there are no alarms in the communal areas of Grange House. Instead, each flat has its own domestic alarm system. 

“This arrangement performed as expected and the fire was contained within the flat where it started. The fire service approached flats that they felt needed to evacuate once they had assessed the situation on site on Saturday.”

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) took 17 calls about the fire. The cause of the blaze is now under investigation by the LFB and the Metropolitan Police Service.

The association added: “We’re committed to doing all we can to get customers back to their homes as soon as possible, and customers are being kept informed as work and safety checks progress. Orbit colleagues have been on site every day to offer face-to-face support. 

“Furthermore, customers have received at least two updates via SMS every day, have had access to a dedicated phone line and also a webpage that is being continuously updated with information and answers to frequently asked questions.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience and co-operation during this time. We remain in contact with all affected customers and encourage them to reach out to us directly with any questions or concerns that they have.”

At the start of January, Orbit confirmed it was investigating several blocks built by the same developer in Hastings after it was forced to evacuate 17 families from one building in the run-up to Christmas.