Fire Affecting Charles Dickens House

In the early hours of Friday, 8 January 2009, there was a small fire in an electrical intake cupboad at Charles Dickens House on the Mansford Estate in Bethnal Green, which resulted in a loss of power to the block.

THCH staff worked overnight on Friday and all weekend providing support and helping affected residents.  THCH was also assisted by Council Officers from the LBTH Social Services Department and from their Civil Protection Team.

It is believed that the fire was on the mains supply side and initially resulted in just the loss of power to nearby blocks.  The fire door to the intake cupboard successfully contained the blaze as designed.  The Fire Brigade, who are investigating the blaze, attended and extinguished the fire and engineers from EDF, the electrical supply company, inspected the damage and turned the power off. 

The fire also disturbed the mains electrical supply to nearby blocks: Adrian Bolt House, Southwood Smith House, part of William Rathbone House and part of Jeremy Bentham House.  The nearby Lawdale Primary School also lost some power on the Friday and remained closed throughout the day.  Power in these blocks was restored on Saturday, 10 January, however, power to Charles Dickens House was unable to be restored immediately.

THCH arranged for a large number of residents to be placed in temporary accommodation in local hotels throughout the emergency whilst some residents chose to stay with friends and family.  Some residents decided to remain in their homes and we arranged emergency packs and sleeping bags for additional warmth whilst 'meals on wheels' were provided for elderly residents.

We also arranged for security gaurds to protect residents' homes throughout the emergency.

Latest Update

As of Thursday, 15 January, heating was restored late on 14 January and the lifts and water pumps are working.  Communal lighting is expected to be restored imminently - although the temporary lighting supplied by our refurbishment contractors, Apollo London Ltd, remains in place. 

EDF metering engineers are on site and are beginning to connect individual supplies, however, Zander Court Community Room is staffed and available if affected residents prefer not to return to their homes immediately.

Letters have been sent to all affected residents with advice on how to proceed with insurance claims.  However, staff at the Bethnal Green Community Housing Office will be available to provide help and advice to residents.

Director of Housing, David Eatwell, said "The resdients of Charles DIckens House have been fantastic during this difficult time and I would like to thank them for their patience as we have worked to restore the electrical supply".

THCH would also like to acknowledge the help and assistance from EDF and Apollo London Ltd who have been working tirelessly to restore the power and the  Council's Emergency Team for all their support throughout this difficult time.

Affected residents should contact the Bethnal Green Community Housing Office on 020 7749 9830 for the latest information.