Barking and Dagenham Council has launched an urgent fundraising campaign to support families left devastated by a major fire that broke out in the early hours of Monday, August 26. The blaze, which engulfed the Spectrum Building on Freshwater Road, prompted a massive response from emergency services, with 225 firefighters and 40 fire engines called to the scene at 2:44 am.
The fire forced the evacuation of more than 80 residents from the six-storey building, with 20 residents being rescued by emergency crews. Two individuals were taken to the hospital for treatment, but fortunately, all residents have since been accounted for, according to the London Fire Brigade (LFB). The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with authorities working closely with the police to determine the origin of the blaze.
In response to the disaster, the council quickly set up a fundraising page on GoFundMe, which has already raised £7,936 out of a £10,000 target. The funds will be used to help the affected families, many of whom have lost everything, including their homes and personal belongings. The council has also provided emergency accommodation for those who are unable to return to their homes.
Residents were taken to an emergency rest center, where they were supported by council staff and visited by Darren Rodwell, leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, along with local ward councillors and MP Margaret Mullane. The council has urged the public to contribute to the fundraising effort, noting that financial donations are currently the most effective way to help those in need.
As you can imagine, it’s an extremely difficult time for the people who have lost everything, and while their personal possessions can never be replaced, this will hopefully help them get back on their feet in the coming weeks,” the council wrote on its fundraising page. They also requested that the public refrain from bringing physical donations to the rest center to allow staff to focus on supporting the distressed residents.
Among those affected by the fire are Lukasz and Agnieszka, a couple who were due to marry in Poland in two weeks. The couple shared their heartbreak after losing everything in the fire, including Agnieszka’s £2,500 wedding dress, which they had just collected two days before the incident.
The Spectrum Building, which is privately owned, had a history of fire safety concerns. A planning application from June 2023 revealed that “remedial work” had been approved to remove non-compliant cladding on the upper floors of the building. The LFB has confirmed that some of the cladding used in the building was flammable, and this will be a key focus of the ongoing investigation. LFB Commissioner Andy Roe acknowledged the challenges of the investigation, noting that parts of the building are now unsafe to enter.
Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, expressed his concern over the incident, stating, “Once again, a fire has erupted in a residential building wrapped in flammable cladding. There needs to be an urgent and swift investigation of how this has been allowed to happen.”
As the investigation continues, the council’s fundraising efforts are providing crucial support to the affected families, ensuring they receive the assistance they need during this difficult time. The community has rallied together in the wake of the tragedy, with donations continuing to pour in to help those who have lost so much.
