A housing association has ordered residents of five housing blocks in Wembley to evacuate after a fire risk assessment deemed the buildings pose an 'intolerable risk to life'. Around 200 households at Grand Union Heights in Alperton were told to leave just after midnight on April 29, with many moved to temporary hotel accommodation. However, some residents have refused to vacate, citing a lack of information about when they can return.
Evacuation Order
Sovereign Network Group (SNG), the housing association managing the blocks, stated that fire safety specialists advised them late on April 29 that the buildings are not safe for residents due to concerns about fire performance. The buildings are already under scaffolding for fire remediation works, including cladding replacement and sprinkler installation. SNG said it acted immediately to protect residents while further investigations are conducted.
Resident Concerns
Gary Radford, a resident with two children, refused to leave. He said the evacuation notice came as a shock, with a neighbour knocking on his door at 12:30 am. Radford criticized the lack of information from SNG, stating that officials could not explain why the evacuation was necessary or how long it would take. He noted that hotel accommodation is unsuitable for his family, as his daughter requires home-cooked meals due to anorexia and his son is taking A-level exams.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, described ongoing issues with the building, including pigeon problems, electrical faults, and a general sense of living in fear. They moved into temporary accommodation but expressed concerns about returning without assurance that all issues are resolved.
Fire Safety Issues
The fire risk assessment highlighted several problems: poorly installed sprinkler systems, lack of fire protection for stair steelwork, unknown stair load capacity, poorly trained fire evacuation managers, and high risk of fire spread due to missing cavity barriers. SNG acknowledged these issues and said they are working to address them.
Political Response
Councillor Anton Georgiou, representing Alperton, called the situation 'completely unacceptable' and urged SNG to provide honesty and transparency. He criticized the housing association's poor communication, which has left residents uncertain about the risks and timeline for returning home.
SNG's Statement
Nicole Sharp, Chief Customer Officer at SNG, apologized for the disruption and confirmed that residents are being supported with temporary accommodation and financial assistance. She stated that teams are on site and a meeting has been held with residents. SNG is coordinating with the London Fire Brigade and other stakeholders, with resident safety as the top priority.
