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Camden flats: Hundreds of homes evacuated over fire risk fears Camden flats: Hundreds of homes evacuated over fire risk fears
(35 minutes later)
More than 700 flats in tower blocks on a council estate in Camden, north London, have been evacuated because of fire safety concerns.More than 700 flats in tower blocks on a council estate in Camden, north London, have been evacuated because of fire safety concerns.
Camden Council says people in four towers on the Chalcots estate were moved for "urgent fire safety works".Camden Council says people in four towers on the Chalcots estate were moved for "urgent fire safety works".
The council said it was booking hotels but around 100 residents have spent the night on air beds in a leisure centre.The council said it was booking hotels but around 100 residents have spent the night on air beds in a leisure centre.
The estate's cladding is similar to Grenfell Tower in west London, where there was a deadly fire this month.The estate's cladding is similar to Grenfell Tower in west London, where there was a deadly fire this month.
Chalcots was refurbished between 2006 and 2009 by the same firm, Rydon, that oversaw work at Grenfell Tower in 2015-16.Chalcots was refurbished between 2006 and 2009 by the same firm, Rydon, that oversaw work at Grenfell Tower in 2015-16.
Camden Council said it will remove external thermal cladding from five tower blocks on the Chalcots estate.Camden Council said it will remove external thermal cladding from five tower blocks on the Chalcots estate.
It also said there were concerns about the insulation of gas pipes going into flats, and fire doors.It also said there were concerns about the insulation of gas pipes going into flats, and fire doors.
The council initially announced the evacuation of one tower block, Taplow, but later extended the move to all five tower blocks it had checked.The council initially announced the evacuation of one tower block, Taplow, but later extended the move to all five tower blocks it had checked.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, the council then announced that one of the five - Blashford - did not need to be evacuated, and that residents could return.In the early hours of Saturday morning, the council then announced that one of the five - Blashford - did not need to be evacuated, and that residents could return.
Blashford is smaller and has "several different design elements".Blashford is smaller and has "several different design elements".
Residents of the estate attended a public meeting with council officials on Thursday evening.Residents of the estate attended a public meeting with council officials on Thursday evening.
The council leader, Labour's Georgia Gould, said the decision to evacuate the buildings was made at about 18:30 BST on Friday.The council leader, Labour's Georgia Gould, said the decision to evacuate the buildings was made at about 18:30 BST on Friday.
She said the fire service "told us they could not guarantee our residents' safety in those blocks".She said the fire service "told us they could not guarantee our residents' safety in those blocks".
Some residents said the first they heard of the evacuation was on the news.Some residents said the first they heard of the evacuation was on the news.
The council has secured 270 hotel rooms so far. Emergency accommodation was set up at Swiss Cottage leisure centre and at the Camden Centre in King's Cross.The council has secured 270 hotel rooms so far. Emergency accommodation was set up at Swiss Cottage leisure centre and at the Camden Centre in King's Cross.
"We're encouraging all residents to stay with friends and family if they can, otherwise we'll provide accommodation," the council said."We're encouraging all residents to stay with friends and family if they can, otherwise we'll provide accommodation," the council said.
"I know it's difficult, but Grenfell changes everything and I just don't believe we can take any risk with our residents' safety and I have to put them first," Ms Gould said."I know it's difficult, but Grenfell changes everything and I just don't believe we can take any risk with our residents' safety and I have to put them first," Ms Gould said.
Residents will be allowed in at the weekend to collect more possessions under escort from the fire brigade.Residents will be allowed in at the weekend to collect more possessions under escort from the fire brigade.
Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted: "My thoughts are with residents being evacuated in Camden while their homes are made safe tonight."Prime Minister Theresa May tweeted: "My thoughts are with residents being evacuated in Camden while their homes are made safe tonight."
She said the government was "offering every support we can" to residents and officials working at the estate.She said the government was "offering every support we can" to residents and officials working at the estate.
At the sceneAt the scene
Alex Regan, BBC NewsAlex Regan, BBC News
As the sun set on Swiss Cottage, there was frustration among residents of the Chalcots estate.As the sun set on Swiss Cottage, there was frustration among residents of the Chalcots estate.
With five tower blocks being evacuated, the streets were teeming with neighbours, children, and cameramen. With tower blocks being evacuated, the streets were teeming with neighbours, children, and cameramen.
Camden Council employees wearing hi-viz vests stood outside the Taplow tower, speaking to residents.Camden Council employees wearing hi-viz vests stood outside the Taplow tower, speaking to residents.
Some of them only realised their homes were being evacuated after hearing news reports.Some of them only realised their homes were being evacuated after hearing news reports.
Most were not in the mood to talk. One woman shouted angrily at a TV cameraman: "Can you tell me what's going on?"Most were not in the mood to talk. One woman shouted angrily at a TV cameraman: "Can you tell me what's going on?"
Read more from AlexRead more from Alex
Speaking to the Press Association, resident Michelle Urquhart said: "It's a bit frightening.Speaking to the Press Association, resident Michelle Urquhart said: "It's a bit frightening.
"I don't know where we are going to go. I'm so angry because we had the meeting with the council last night and they tried to reassure us."I don't know where we are going to go. I'm so angry because we had the meeting with the council last night and they tried to reassure us.
"We have been living in these flats for the last 10 years with this cladding.""We have been living in these flats for the last 10 years with this cladding."
Teacher Kim Price, who lives in Blashford tower with her 14-year-old son, said: "At 4pm today they said it would be okay and that all the checks were fine.Teacher Kim Price, who lives in Blashford tower with her 14-year-old son, said: "At 4pm today they said it would be okay and that all the checks were fine.
"And now all of a sudden the news is saying we should get out."And now all of a sudden the news is saying we should get out.
"We've had two letters in two days saying 'you're not safe' then 'you're safe'. I don't really know what to do.""We've had two letters in two days saying 'you're not safe' then 'you're safe'. I don't really know what to do."
Edward Strange, who lives in an 11th floor flat with his wife and young daughter, said the evacuation was a "complete overreaction".Edward Strange, who lives in an 11th floor flat with his wife and young daughter, said the evacuation was a "complete overreaction".
He told the BBC there had been two previous fires in the block which were easily contained.He told the BBC there had been two previous fires in the block which were easily contained.
"I've got a young daughter, a wife and a cat, I've also got a job. They said it'd take four to six weeks. If the council says four to six weeks it'll take four to six months.""I've got a young daughter, a wife and a cat, I've also got a job. They said it'd take four to six weeks. If the council says four to six weeks it'll take four to six months."
Another resident, Roger Evans, also said he thought the council action was "excessive".Another resident, Roger Evans, also said he thought the council action was "excessive".
Ahmed Mohamed, 19, who lives in Taplow tower with his parents and two sisters, said they were alerted by a neighbour at 20:15 that they needed to leave.Ahmed Mohamed, 19, who lives in Taplow tower with his parents and two sisters, said they were alerted by a neighbour at 20:15 that they needed to leave.
"We only had five minutes to get our stuff," he said."We only had five minutes to get our stuff," he said.
Hamza Usman, 21, who lives in Burnham, said: "I found out that we have to evacuate through BBC News.Hamza Usman, 21, who lives in Burnham, said: "I found out that we have to evacuate through BBC News.
"I called my mum and she said she had heard nothing either.""I called my mum and she said she had heard nothing either."
'Temporarily decanted''Temporarily decanted'
Camden's leader, Georgia Gould, said London Fire Brigade had completed a joint inspection of the blocks with Camden Council technical experts.Camden's leader, Georgia Gould, said London Fire Brigade had completed a joint inspection of the blocks with Camden Council technical experts.
It was decided the flats needed to be "temporarily decanted...so that residents can be fully assured of their safety".It was decided the flats needed to be "temporarily decanted...so that residents can be fully assured of their safety".
Ms Gould said the work is expected to take three to four weeks.Ms Gould said the work is expected to take three to four weeks.
Camden Council agreed a contract with Rydon Construction to refurbish the Chalcots Estate in May 2006 at a cost of £66m. Camden Council agreed a contract with Rydon Construction to refurbish the Chalcots estate in May 2006 at a cost of £66m.
The work took over three and a half years. Five towers received new cladding, and 711 flats were modernised with new wiring, heating, kitchens and bathrooms.The work took over three and a half years. Five towers received new cladding, and 711 flats were modernised with new wiring, heating, kitchens and bathrooms.
Friday night's announcement came as the Metropolitan Police said the Grenfell Tower fire started in a fridge-freezer, and outside cladding and insulation failed safety tests.Friday night's announcement came as the Metropolitan Police said the Grenfell Tower fire started in a fridge-freezer, and outside cladding and insulation failed safety tests.
A national operation to identify buildings with cladding similar to that used in Grenfell Tower has seen local authorities send samples for independent tests.A national operation to identify buildings with cladding similar to that used in Grenfell Tower has seen local authorities send samples for independent tests.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said 14 residential high-rise buildings in nine local authority areas have now been found with cladding that raises safety concerns.The Department for Communities and Local Government said 14 residential high-rise buildings in nine local authority areas have now been found with cladding that raises safety concerns.
A DCLG spokesman said: "Camden Council and the Fire and Rescue Service are rightly working together to implement their responsibilities under the Emergency Fire Safety Review that we sent them...A DCLG spokesman said: "Camden Council and the Fire and Rescue Service are rightly working together to implement their responsibilities under the Emergency Fire Safety Review that we sent them...
"The government, through London Resilience, is offering every assistance in getting this done as swiftly and safely as possible.""The government, through London Resilience, is offering every assistance in getting this done as swiftly and safely as possible."
Do you live in one of the affected tower blocks on the Chalcots estate in Camden Council? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukDo you live in one of the affected tower blocks on the Chalcots estate in Camden Council? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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