Residents of a tower block in Dagenham, East London, have voiced serious concerns following a fire that broke out earlier this week, claiming that the building's fire alarm system failed and that the designated escape route was locked.

The fire, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, led to the evacuation of more than 80 residents. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. However, the residents have expressed their distress over the safety measures in place. Speaking to the BBC, they stated, "Our building's fire alarm system failed to activate, depriving us of the critical warning needed. The fire escape route, which should have been our lifeline, was padlocked shut."

Philippa Rene, representing the group of residents, criticised the private building owner, Block Management, for their lack of response during the incident. "Block Management failed to attend the centre and address the concerns of their residents," she said. The BBC has reached out to Block Management for a comment.

Additionally, residents highlighted the absence of sprinklers in the building and shared that no official came to alert them of the fire. Instead, it was their neighbours who risked their lives to wake others.

Residents Recount the Distressing Experience

Omar Zid shared his personal experience, recounting how his wife was the first to notice the fire after smelling smoke during the night. Upon looking out the window, they saw smoke rising from the second floor. "We left everything behind, and it's only now that we realise how terrifying it was," he said, adding that his wife is still struggling to cope with the shock.

The residents are now seeking answers and urgent assistance. Mohammed M. Miah expressed their collective anxiety: "We don't know where to go, we are in limbo. It’s terrifying, and words can’t fully capture our fear."

In a joint statement, the residents have demanded immediate rehousing and justice, stating that the tragedy was entirely preventable. Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the fire, with the role of the building's cladding being a key focus, especially given the building's known safety issues.

"The multiple layers of management, from landlords to agencies, have utterly failed to protect us," the residents claimed. This incident comes just over seven years after the devastating Grenfell Tower fire in London, which resulted in 72 deaths.

Calls for Immediate Support and Justice

The fire has displaced dozens of residents, some of whom have alleged that the local council is refusing to rehome them and that they are "not allowed to access public funds." Dagenham Council has stated that they have "sourced emergency accommodation for displaced residents" and are "working with each household individually on next steps."

Wumi Adegoke, a resident of the block, shared her distress, saying that the council informed her on Thursday that the victims' help centre would be closing. "It’s the only place we have to gather, and we deserve this support," she told the BBC, visibly upset. Another resident echoed the need for "immediate support, including housing and financial assistance."

In response, the council later announced that the help centre would be relocated to Dagenham Library and that emergency accommodation for the displaced residents would be extended, though no specific end date was provided.

The residents have vowed to continue their fight for justice, stating, "We won’t rest until justice is served, and no one else has to suffer as we have."

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