Residents flee as flames wreck tower block (From Ealing Times)

Was on the scene and the fire crews had a tough task as the roof was falling into the street in large, burning pieces. Hope no one was hurt.

Firstly may I offer my sympathy to anyone who has been injured or lost items which may have been cherished by them, furniture and the like is expensive to replace, hopefully insurance will cover any such loss, but the loss of photos etc of family and friends is always very sad indeed.I hope anyone finding themself in this position can take some comfort in the blessing of their life being saved from a fire that looks as though it had the potential to cause much loss of life, thanks be to God and our heroic Fire and Rescue Service.
Sadly it would seem that Ealing Homes have little care for the people who have been affected by this tragedy, the last time I heard, Ealing Homes were responsible for providing housing for the people of Ealing. What then, do we find when we go to Ealing Homes website? Any mention of this dreadful fire? Any advice for those affected by this dreadful fire? Any offer of practical support for those affected by this dreadful fire? NO! NO! NO!
What we actually find is Ealing Homes blowing their own trumpet as usual, some nonsense about Ealing Homes H R Dept being nominated for some award or other, SHAME on you Ealing Homes, I don't think your
P R Dept will be getting nominated for anything anytime soon.

To end on a positive note, I'd like request that The Ealing Times starts a benefit fund to help those people affected by this tragedy, perhaps we could have a concert featuring our wonderfully diverse local talent, just an idea.

Oh Thelma Burgess, what atime to be whingeing about Ealing Homes. People were at danger, have lost their homes and lives were at risk. Can't you just put aside your pettiness?

As it happens, I know that many staff at Ealing Homes worked (yes, for free) late into the night and the next days to help those poor residents get relocated, and were trying to negotiate both with the council and with the fire brigade.

If they weren't updating their website, it was probably because they were trying to get people some emergency help and solace at a very harrowing time for all concerned. What do YOU think was the correct priority?

Well Ealing Homes have been muscled out by Ealing Council who are trying to move everyone out of that building permanently. Ealing Council don't WANT these people to go back into their homes because they've already made it clear a few months ago they want to sell off the land (which involves demolishing the two blocks either side as well even though there's no fire damage there so Thurlestone won't be the only ones homeless.)

Perhaps Ealing Council can explain why there aren't any firewalls in these blocks which would've stopped the fire spreading so quickly despite them being recommended after the Selsdon Court fire. Frankly if I were any of these tenants I would consider suing Ealing Council for not putting forward recommendations that would've saved a lot of people's homes.

The only drawback they might have is that Ealing Council are insisting that there are firewalls in the blocks despite a) it being obvious by how quickly the fire spread that there aren't any and b) the fire officers saying there obviously aren't any. Unfortunately no-one says anything in meetings because everyone is too scared of losing their jobs so Ealing Council are going to be allowed to ride roughshod over their tenants for their own profit.

Incidentally all the people who are currently unable to live in their homes have been told they still have to pay rent on these properties to Ealing Council during their period of rehousing otherwise they'll be breaking their tenancy
agreement.