The developers of the Barking Riverside development in Essex, where a fierce blaze destroyed 20 flats last year, have offered to pay for fire safety improvements to residents’ homes.
Fire broke out at the newly completed Samuel Garside House on De Pass Gardens in Barking, built by Bellway, in June last year. It took 100 firefighters more than two and a half hours to bring the blaze, which stretched from the ground floor to the sixth floor, under control.
Bellway blamed a barbecue on a resident’s balcony for setting off the blaze, which took hold on the timber-clad external envelope of the eastern elevation of the building.
At the time, Bellway said it was “relieved” that the fire protection measures within the building, which received “all regulatory approvals”, ensured that residents were evacuated safely.
Now Barking Riverside residents have received a letter, seen by CM, setting out plans to improve the fire safety of houses with exterior timber.
The letter read: “Over the autumn, the architects and fire engineers have undertaken a significant amount of work to review fire safety to all houses.
“It has been confirmed that all homes have a building control certificate from the National House Building Council (NHBC) however, all the responsible parties involved have agreed they would like to discuss options for further improving the fire safety of your home.”
The letter, from Matthew Carpen, managing director of Barking Riverside, explained that plans are being prepared to send out an individual “home pack” with an independent fire safety report before homeowners and tenants can discuss the plans and timeframe for any works.
Any work commissioned is due to start in autumn this year, subject to planning permission. “Any works undertaken will be done at no financial cost to you,” the letter confirmed.
