Support for those affected by recent incidents

This page aims to provide information to support those affected by the Grenfell Tower Fire on 14 June 2017, as well as information on tower block safety in Croydon.

Support for people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire

• You can find information on the ongoing Grenfell Tower Inquiry here.
• The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) have published information and resources for those affected by the fire. This includes advice and support for those affected, mental health support, bereavement support, information around air quality/smoke exposure and support for businesses.
• You can see the letter written by Melanie Henrietta Dawes (Permanent Secretary for MHCLG at the time) to owners, landlords and managers of private residential blocks about safety checks .
• You can find out information on the work being done by the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission in determining a community-led proposal for the most fitting and appropriate way to remember those who lost their lives in the Grenfell tragedy.

Tower Block safety in Croydon

How many tower blocks does Croydon Council own?

We have 39 tower blocks (housing blocks over 6 storeys). The 25 tallest are 10 – 12 storeys high (Over 30 metres)

Do Croydon Council-owned tower blocks meet fire safety standards?

Yes. Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy we have double checked fire safety in all 39 of our tower blocks, and they all continue to meet London Fire Brigade standards.

Does the council have any concerns about cladding or other materials used in council-owned tower blocks?

15 of the council’s 39 tower blocks have cladding. We can confirm these are good-quality, fire-retardant and contain different materials to the kind used at Grenfell Tower.

What further measures is the council taking to improve fire safety in blocks?

At its cabinet meeting on 19 June, the council announced it will invest an estimated £10m in installing fire sprinklers in the council’s 25 tallest blocks with 10, 11 or 12 storeys. The Council has completed the installation of sprinklers in 26 Tower blocks. These were eight storeys or higher. On activation of a sprinkler in a resident’s property the London Fire Brigade be called out to the relevant block.   

Will blocks that are shorter than 10 storeys get extra fire safety improvements?

All blocks will have a Fire Safety Assessment carried out (FRA) which will identify necessary fire safety works or improvements and these will be carried out as part of a planned and managed programme. 

I live in a high-rise block. What do I do if I am worried about fire safety?

Contact your caretaker or a tenancy officer, who will investigate your concerns fully.  You can also visit the London Fire Brigade website to see up-to-date guidance on what to do in a fire and other fire safety advice. 

What about privately owned blocks over 10 storeys?

The government is in contact with private blocks to ensure they are testing their cladding and also their fire safety regulations. Find out more here. Fire safety advice for tenants from the London Fire Brigade can be found at here.  

How did Croydon council helping those who have been made homeless by the fire at Grenfell Tower?  

We offered the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea help with accommodating people made homeless by the Grenfell Tower fire.