Camden residents evacuated from tower blocks after Grenfell fire slam repairs as ‘shoddy’ and ‘incomplete’, as experts say they may still be unsafe
Those living in the block say there are concerns over the fire doors, exposed wiring and holes where fires could spread through
CAMDEN residents who were evacuated from tower blocks for urgent repairs following the Grenfell fire have slammed the "shoddy" and "incomplete" works - after they were ordered back into them.
that six weeks on, after the council claims the works are complete, residents fear that the job has not been good enough.
Fire doors were shown to have large gaps underneath them, some of them did not close or took extended time to do, and holes for exposed pipes and electricity cables were visible inside and outside flats.
3,000 residents in several towers on the Chalcots estate in north London were ordered to leave their homes after the tragic West London fire which has killed at least 80 people.
They were moved temporarily into hotels while the emergency repairs were carried out.
A Sun investigation found a raft of safety concerns - including blocked stairwells and no fire extinguishers where needed.
The towers were found to have cladding similar to that used on Grenfell tower, and needed more fire doors installing, including automatic door closing mechanisms.
Some residents this week applied to the courts to have their temporary accommodation extended pending further tests - but Judges ruled that the Council followed sufficient advice from the London Fire Brigade that the towers were safe.
Resident David* who lived in Taplow tower, told the BBC: "The works aren't complete."
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The report revealed claims of gaps underneath fire doors, and the doors next to the fire escape itself did not close properly.
"This is clearly not fit for purpose," he said.
One fire marshall themselves pointed out another problem with another fire door to the BBC - and when it was nudged to shut it took over a minute to do so.
Another resident, Ella May, a single mother of three, told of exposed electrical cables that needed to be covered up.
"I don't want to bring my children into the environment where potentially we could die or cause other people to die," she said.
One surveyor said the building was not safe to live in, and a fire safety expert said work did not meet fire safety standards.
A spokesperson from the London Fire Brigade said all residents had been invited to return to the estate after all urgent works were completed.
They said: "Our highly trained Inspecting Officers have been working very closely with Camden council since it was discovered that essential works were required in these four buildings on the Chalcots Estate.
"We agreed a list of works which would improve the general fire precautions in the building and mitigate the risks from fire. Officers from the LFB have visited the premises since the work began and are satisfied that sufficient progress has been made to allow a phased re-occupation of the buildings.
“There is further work planned by the council to improve the fire doors and the aesthetic look of the remedial works undertaken so far."
*David's name has been changed by the BBC
