Residents still in hotels a week after tower fire
BBCMore than a week after a fire in an east London tower block, residents who had to leave their flats still have no idea when they will be able to go home.
One man died and more than 50 others were made temporarily homeless after flames ripped through part of the 17th and 18th floors of Neutron Tower, Poplar, on 12 September.
Those who have had to move out are staying in hotels - with no cooking or laundry facilities - while investigations, safety assessments and repairs are carried out.
First Port, which manages floors nine and above, said it understood how "difficult and unsettling" this period of uncertainty was but it has to ensure the building is safe before allowing people back in.
In a recent letter from First Port, residents were told they should expect to stay in hotels for at least another eight days.
Adam, who lives in a 12th floor flat with Danielle, said they were in "limbo".
"Something has to be done and it has to be done soon but its not right how they're treating us at the moment
"We both didn't go to work last week as we had to sort various things out...it's been tough."
Katarzyna Krupecka, a resident on the fifth floor, managed by Notting Hill Genesis, told BBC London her family's living conditions were "difficult".
"It's not living, yes you have a roof over your head but I really wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
"It's very disruptive to education, we can see the children being affected
"You're living out of a suitcase, you don't have access to a washing machine, you don't have access to cooking equipment.
"I understand they can't give us a definitive answer but I would at least like some sort of time frame...I want to go back home."
Ayaz Rahman, who escaped the fire, said he and his disabled wife have been moved to different rooms in their hotel twice in the past week.
"It's a challenging situation every day we are facing," he said.
His wife Bushra Chowdhry said: "The more the days go on, the more we realise we are homeless, we don't have anything to go back to."
A First Port spokesperson said: "Our priority is to support residents while the necessary assessments of the building continue and to enable them to return home as soon as it is confirmed safe to do so.
"Given the seriousness of the incident, we cannot provide a definitive date for their return at this stage.
"We are working closely with the relevant authorities, insurers and specialist teams to progress this as quickly as possible and are communicating regularly with residents."
They said any if any resident was experiencing an issue with arrangements provided, they would encourage them to speak to our on-site team.
Notting Hill Genesis, which manages the properties on the lower floors of Neutron Tower, said: "Our priority has been to support our residents, move families quickly to temporary accommodation, and make sure they are as comfortable as possible until we are given assurance by those with overall responsibility for fire and building safety at Neutron Tower that it is safe for them to return to their homes.
"Our teams have been on site and with our residents throughout, and we are in touch with First Port, the London Fire Brigade, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the police and other agencies as they investigate and ascertain next steps.
"We have extended accommodation bookings until 29 September to provide certainty for the days ahead, and are doing all we can to keep residents reassured and informed."
Following the fire, several residents said they believed it may have been linked to a flood the previous day.
Many described being alerted by neighbours as alarms did not sound, and they said emergency lighting did not activate.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said it sent 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters to the tower and spent two hours bringing the flames under control.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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