Residents of a tower block which suffered a fire last year feel they have been “abandoned and ignored” by the council.
Parkside House in Bell Farm Avenue in Dagenham was damaged during a blaze on October 11, 2025, after a fire began in an electrical intake cupboard on the second floor.
All residents were displaced at the time and a "rest centre" was organised by Barking and Dagenham Council at Dagenham and Redbridge Football Club.
One resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, has said the past year has been “very difficult”.
She was allowed to return to her flat in Parkside on October 27 but quickly discovered she had “no heating or hot water”.
The fire damaged the main electrical cable which serviced her flat, and that of several neighbouring flats.
As a result, she has been required to access heating and hot water using a temporary boost function which costs residents £20 a day.
After temporary heaters supplied by the council melted the sockets in her flat, she was moved into a guest room in Millicent Preston House, a retirement housing complex, for eight months.
On July 13, the grandmother was moved back into Parkside – but problems persisted.
“We feel we’ve been abandoned and ignored,” she said.
“We still have no heating, no hot water and no compensation or reimbursement for using boosters at our own cost.
“We’re going into the second winter, and I have damp and mould with a massive hole in my bathroom which has exposed the piping - it’s ludicrous.
“It’s no fault of our own that we’ve been put in this situation. What we want is some acknowledgement from the council, an apology for a year of inconvenience. They can go home at the end of the day, I can’t – this is my home.”
A council spokesperson said: "We fully understand the frustration and disruption experienced by residents affected by the fire at Parkside House and recognise the significant impact this situation has had on those households.
"Following the fire, the council arranged temporary accommodation where required, provided emergency support payments to affected residents, and reimbursed costs relating to heating and temporary electrical equipment.
"We have remained in regular contact with residents and are continuing to provide updates as the project progresses.
“In recognition of the ongoing impact while permanent repairs are completed, we are also putting in place additional support towards heating costs for affected households during the winter period.
"The fire caused extensive damage to a specialist electrical system serving six flats, requiring a complex engineering solution that must meet stringent safety and compliance requirements for a high-rise residential building.
"Following the completion of specialist design work, we are now in the final stages of awarding the contract for the permanent repairs.
“We appreciate the patience shown by affected residents and remain committed to restoring a safe, reliable and fully compliant electrical supply as quickly as possible, while continuing to support residents throughout the process."
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