Thursday 1 October update
Our staff and contractors have been hard at work at the site, removing the fuel, cleaning up, and completing a series of checks and tests.
Our comprehensive testing has looked at:
- fire safety
- building and structural safety
- the rainwater system and the River Brent (which is nearby)
- foul waste/sewers
- ground/soil samples from the surrounding area
- air quality
- drinking water
- gas and electrics
- lifts, alarms, emergency lighting, and communal systems
These tests have concluded that the building is safe for habitation. A fire engineer has completed a full review of the building's fire risk assessment, to make sure there are no fire risks in and around the building. Once final air test results are received and the building has been fully recommissioned, we will start returning residents to their homes on a phased basis. We expect that to happen within the next week.
Sheringham Tower was built with a communal heating system that used diesel as its fuel source. This heating system was decommissioned many years ago and the leak came from the old heating system storage tank. We have informed the Building Safety Regulator and will share our findings with them, as well as with building residents.
We have checked all of the council's blocks across the borough to ensure there are no similar tanks in them. A review of our procedures is under way, and external contractors are looking in depth at all of our building safety plans.
Council officers remain onsite at Golf Links Community Centre between 10am and 4pm, including weekends.
Friday 4 September update
Council teams and contractors will be on site and around the area over the coming days to carry out investigative work and repairs.
The council have provided alternative accommodation for everyone who needs it while we make sure that the building is safe for residents to return.
The council's priority is to make sure residents are safe and well, have a place to stay and are supported until they can return to their homes.
Council officers are in direct contact with residents who are impacted.
If you or someone you know needs support in relation to this incident, council officers will be in the Golf Links Community Centre from 10am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. They can also contact the council’s housing team on 020 8825 9998, 10am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday, selecting option 1.
Further updates will be published on this page as available.
Wednesday 2 September update
Road closures in the area have now been lifted.
Council teams have been on site overnight and today, working with London Fire Brigade and specialist contractors to make the building safe and assess when people will be able to return.
The council's priority is to make sure residents are safe and well, have a place to stay and are supported until they can return to their homes. Council teams are working to make sure all residents who have been affected have alternative accommodation.
Council officers are contacting residents who are impacted directly and will keep them updated but if you have been affected and need help, you can contact the council on 020 8825 9998.
Further updates will be published on this page as available.