A new report has detailed the chaotic evacuation and subsequent emergency response following a major fire that destroyed the roof and fourth floor of a residential block in Battersea last September.
Initial Chaos and a 'Shaky Start' for Residents
The blaze at Fox House on Maysoule Road broke out on the evening of September 10, leading to the evacuation of more than 100 people. An independent review by Barry Quirk CBE found the initial response was marred by significant problems.
Organising hotel accommodation for the dozens of residents with nowhere to go proved extremely challenging. A pre-arranged contractor was too slow, a situation worsened by Tube strikes filling hotels with commuters. Communication broke down, with council directors receiving conflicting information about how many people had been housed in the early hours.
Mr Quirk's report states that for many residents, it was a "shaky start". Some waited for hotel calls that never came, forcing them to make their own arrangements. The council later made an "unreasonable request" for people to visit the homeless unit the next morning, despite many having fled without essentials like glasses, hearing aids, proper clothing, or shoes.
Council Response 'Improved Dramatically'
Despite the difficult first night, the report praises Wandsworth Council staff and councillors for their "excellent work" and dedication, working hard into the early morning.
By September 11, the response "improved dramatically". The council swiftly set up a dedicated support centre at York Gardens Library, allocating a personal caseworker to each affected household. They provided immediate financial and practical support, including:
- £25 daily living vouchers
- School uniform vouchers
- 31 laptops and 21 phones
- 16 basic furniture packages
Simon Hogg, the Labour Council Leader, said: "I'm pleased to say all secure tenants were rehoused within 16 weeks." By December 3, 23 of the 29 council tenants had been permanently rehoused.
Fire Safety Questions and Lasting Impact
The report revealed that the roof void where the fire spread rapidly had not been inspected in the block's most recent fire risk assessment, completed in 2022. The advice to residents at the time was also to "stay put" in the event of a fire—a policy Mr Quirk suggests the council may need to review.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the London Fire Brigade, who have only recently been able to access the damaged roof. The rapid spread indicated potential weaknesses in the building's compartmentation.
Mr Quirk concluded: "This was a really serious fire where people lost their homes and their treasured belongings." He noted the council's openness to learning and has made a series of recommendations, which will be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on January 26. The council has already begun planning inspections of similar roof voids across its other estates.
