‘Why are they leaving us here?’: Residents scared after letter warns of investigation into building’s safety
Residents in a block of flats say they have been left ‘scared’ after receiving a letter from their landlord warning of ongoing investigations into the building’s safety.
Susan Rixon, 67, has lived in a new build block of more than 100 flats in Clarence Crescent, Clapham for 10 years.
Last month, her landlord, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), issued residents with a letter which said ongoing fire safety checks had revealed the building’s external steel structure “needed further investigation”.
As a “precautionary measure”, MTVH launched a Waking Watch Service, which now patrols the internal communal stairwell and elevators of Clarence Crescent 24-hours-a-day.
The letter also discussed changes to the evacuation procedure, from a “stay put” policy to a “simultaneous evacuation strategy”. This means that in the event of a fire, tenants must evacuate the building immediately.
Ms Rixon said: “I’m scared. I walk with sticks because I have problems with my knees. If there was a fire I wouldn’t be able to get out. What happens to me ?
“These people have been patrolling the building for a month now, but I still don’t know what’s going on. No one will explain it to me.”
The letter also informed residents of an online meeting, hosted on Wednesday, to discuss the changes.
But Ms Rixon said: “One side of the building is almost completely elderly tenants. We don’t understand how to use these online forms. I couldn’t access the meeting.
“I thought they would speak to us face to face to explain.”
A spokesman from MTVH said an in person meeting will be held soon for all residents to attend.
Another tenant, Caroline Kennedy, 60, who also suffers from mobility issues, said she did not receive the letter.
She said: “I talked to the marshals on patrol and told them that I’m worried.
“It’s all made me extremely paranoid. If the building is structurally unsafe what are they waiting for ? Get us out and into temporary homes before there is another Grenfell.”
Both women say they have had structural issues within their own flats, despite the block having only been built in the past decade.
Ms Rixon said: “My ceiling fell through and it collapsed on me a few years ago and the balcony outside my flat is hanging down. I’m scared it will fall down on me when I’m leaving my flat one day.”
A spokesman for MTVH said: “It is completely understandable that this situation has caused our resident anxiety. Our priority is doing everything we can to ensure that our residents feel safe in their homes and are supported.
“In order to ensure that Ms Rixon can safely evacuate her home if needed, we have worked with her to form a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) that responds to and addresses her specific mobility requirements. We will continue to liaise with Ms. Rixon and all residents at Clarence Crescent to provide support.”
Pictured top: MTVH have informed residents that the external steel structure of Clarence Crescent in Clapham is in need of “further investigation” (Picture: Google Street View)
