New Cross fire: Students left homeless by fire criticise support

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62zxj308kzo

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Fire crews tackled the blaze for about 14 hours last month

Two students left homeless after a fire destroyed their south-east London flat say they feel "caught between" the council and their landlord one month on.

Aisha Sana, 22, and her flatmate Yousra, 21, lost their home in Hatcham Park Mews, New Cross, when the blaze broke out on 20 August.

About 100 firefighters tackled the fire, which damaged much of the block and destroyed its roof. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said no-one was injured but all residents were left homeless.

Lewisham Council said it provided temporary hotel accommodation to the students but apologised for "any confusion about the support available". The estate agent managing the flat has also been approached for comment.

The fire is believed to have been accidental but the exact cause remains under investigation.

The pair initially took refuge in a local pub before being moved by the council into temporary hotel accommodation.

In the days and weeks following the fire, Ms Sana said she and Yousra were left "caught between" the landlord and council over who should provide support.

"The way everyone spoke when the fire happened, they made it sound like we were going to be re-homed," she said.

"But the landlord said they had no legal duty and the council said to go back to the landlord."

The two students were forced out of their flat for good due to the fire

"At the moment we've been doing three to four [flat] viewings per day," Ms Sana told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

"We've just been looking at so many different properties and nothing's worked out because of the money they demand. It's just mad."

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: "We know this has been a very distressing time for all residents involved in the fire and we're sorry if it has been compounded with any confusion about the support available from the council."

They said the council's homelessness team remained in contact with those affected.

The fire is believed to have been accidental

The students, who are staying with a friend outside London, have launched a fundraiser to replace essential items and cover basic costs.

Yousra said: "I do believe the only way some people have been getting any funding is through private donations through other families or their colleagues.

"So it's been really lovely they sympathise with us and have been funding us with their money. It shows that the community in New Cross is tight knit."

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