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Morning Briefing: Barking fire coverage and housing figures in honours list

The national press covers the story of a huge flat fire in Barking, while housing figures receive commendations in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List

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The building in Barking on fire (picture: Venilia Amorim)
The building in Barking on fire (picture: Venilia Amorim)
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Morning Briefing: Barking fire coverage and housing figures in honours list #ukhousing

The national press covers the story of a huge flat fire in Barking, while housing figures receive commendations in the Birthday Honours List #ukhousing

In the news

The housing news this morning is dominated by the reports of what appears to be a giant balcony fire in Barking, which has destroyed 20 flats and damaged a further 10.

You can read our report about the fire here and there was coverage of the blaze across almost all national news outlets over the weekend.

The Guardian reports on emails between residents and developer Bellway, which reassured them that the wooden balconies were fire-safe ahead of the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, residents were provided emergency housing and no major injuries were reported. Inside Housing has been speaking to the residents’ association this morning and we will provide a further report in due course.

The other big piece of news for the housing sector is more positive: the Queen’s Birthday Honours List has seen accolades for many well-known sector figures, including Steve Douglas, former chief executive of the Housing Corporation.

Our round-up is here.

Elsewhere, the BBC reports on Grenfell families launching a US lawsuit against three companies they blame for the fire: cladding maker Arconic, insulation maker Celotex and fridge supplier Whirlpool.

Sky News and others report on Shelter research showing the struggle of social housing tenants to get adequate repairs, with 2.5 million having an issue and one in 10 having to report it 10 times before it is dealt with. We will have a story on the report later this morning.

In housing market news Reuters notes that UK house prices are on the rise again, with Halifax reporting the largest rise since January 2017. It may be to do with Brexit uncertainty dropping off buyers’ minds due to the long delay, the report says.

And Mail Online runs a piece asking if empty shops could be turned into new homes, which is not a new idea.

On social media

Many Twitter users shared images of yesterday’s fire and opinions about what needs to be done to make buildings safe:

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