Fire at Dunedin House, Manwood Street, North Woolwich, E16
Following the dramatic outbreak of a fire earlier this afternoon on the 17th floor of a Council owned block on Manwood Street E16 both myself and the Chief Executive, Colin Ansell headed to the scene to support the response effort and reassure residents affected. We were immediately alerted as the fire was visible from the Dockside building in the Royal Docks. We were subsequently joined by Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Cllr Shaban Mohammed to support the reassurance effort.
The information that we know as of this evening is as follows:
- Fire fighters were called to Dunedin House, at approximately 12.49pm this afternoon, with 20 fire engines and 125 firefighters deployed to contain the blaze that had broken out on the17th storey flat.
- It is a brick built building and, as with all our Council owned blocks, did not have any ACM cladding.
- Officers from Newham Council were rapidly deployed to the scene as soon as to support the emergency effort.
- The fire started in one flat on the 17th floor which then spread to one further flat on the 18th floor; and officers from London Fire Brigade got it under control by 3.07pm.
- Firefighters also tackled a fire involving around one hectare of grass opposite the block at the junction between Manwood Street and Silverland Street, which was caused by burning debris from the high rise block itself.
- Residents were evacuated safely to a rest centre in the North Woolwich Learning Zone opened by our Council team, who remain on the scene and are assisting all those who have had to leave their flats, along with support from the Red Cross.
- As a result of the fire, all residents of floors 17 and 18 will be unable to return home due to fire and smoke damage. Our officers are working with all these households affected to find emergency temporary accommodation until they can return home; though all other residents have been allowed back into the block.
While the cause of the fire is under investigation, and Council officers are awaiting the conclusion of the formal investigation by the London Fire Brigade, we will continue to provide updates as we receive more information.
In the meantime, my thoughts are with those whose homes have been badly damaged, and with those who would have been understandably frightened when the fire broke out; and I am sure you share my deepest thanks to the heroic efforts of the London Fire Brigade and emergency services, as well as our staff team today. Thankfully, no lives were lost.