Fire expert criticises ‘lazy’ risk assessment for Dalston block – carried out a year before the roof went up in flames

Independent fire expert Arnold Tarling. Photograph: courtesy Arnold Tarling

A fire inspector has raised concerns about a “lazy” and error-strewn risk report carried out at a block of flats on Dalston Lane – a year before a devastating blaze broke out.

The Fire Risk Assessment (FRA), filed in July 2023, made no mention of solar panels and claimed it was “not possible to access the roof space” to check for fire-resistant material.

But a video obtained by the Citizen shows contractors working inside the roof to inspect a water tank in February 2023, before the fire inspection was carried out by Peabody, the housing association responsible for the block on Pembury Estate.

The roof was gutted by a fire on 5 June this year, forcing about 50 residents into temporary accommodation.

The report also stated that no residents in the building had mobility, hearing or cognition impairments, despite many having major health conditions.

Tarling scales the block to check for flaws. Photograph: courtesy Arnold Tarling

Arnold Tarling, an independent fire safety expert, described the FRA as “careless and shoddy”, pointing to “a culture of laziness, or of cut and paste from the last report”.

He said: “They need to answer ‘Why was the loft not inspected?’ Both the 2019 and 2023 reports concluded that they must investigate the loft to check firebreaks. Why wasn’t this done immediately?”

He added: “If this is the standard of the Fire Risk Assessment on this block, and it’s been repeated twice, then they must have problems at many of their blocks. It shows a lack of competence.

“Whilst Peabody may try and pin it on the two inspectors, their system is failing.”

Peabody has yet to provide a new statement in response but previously said that the 2023 FRA was “in-date and valid”, and that the “solar panel system at Dalston Lane has previously been checked”.

The official investigation from the Metropolitan Police to establish the cause of the fire is still ongoing.

One resident, Neil, a disabled veteran and vulnerable adult, believes the solar panels caused the fire.

He said Peabody “are failing in their duty to a lot of residents”.

Elizabeth (second from left) and her family have lived at the block for over 25 years. Photograph: Kris Jalowiecki

Elizabeth, who has lived in the building with her family of four for over 25 years, added: “We’ve not even had a phone call to say ‘How are you?’ We’re having to help ourselves. It makes you feel so lost, like you’re not worth anything. Not even worth £10.”

Dame Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, said: “Residents have been through a devastating experience. I’ve been raising concerns about the quality of communications from Peabody.

“It’s vital residents feel supported and are kept consistently informed. No-one should be out of pocket due to the quality of temporary accommodation they’ve been placed in.”

Peabody met with residents on 22 August for the first time since the fire.

Tracy Packer, Peabody’s managing director in north-east London, was in attendance.

At the meeting, Neil said: “All I have is a microwave in my hotel. You’re actually leaving a lot of us in financial distress, because we’re having to buy small and often from corner shops where it costs us twice as much.”

Neil accused Peabody of leaving residents in ‘financial distress’. Photograph: Harry Low

He added: “People are getting into overdrafts and into credit now. We can’t budget with what we’ve got now. I’ve got £35 in my account to last me until payday, and you’re going to want rent. How can I afford that?”

One resident, who is partially blind and suffers from back and knee problems, broke down in tears at the meeting.

She said: “I just break down, I am crying, literally crying when I go there [to the flat].

“I can’t eat anything. I can’t sleep at night. I wake up in the morning, two o’clock, three o’clock, my brain is going round and round, I cannot sleep.

“Right now I’m at the hotel. I just don’t know what’s going on here at the moment.”

Packer responded: “We have worked hard to give you updates. I’m sorry if some of those have not been how you’d like them to be, but honestly we have been working really hard to deliver.

“I’m sorry I’m being a little emotional, because I do feel that we have worked hard and I feel upset for us that that hasn’t been enough.”

Hillier said that Peabody “must ensure it is meeting the needs of all residents” as the police investigation continues.