Large number of residents 'having housing needs assessed' after Peckham fire

Southwark Council said today 'a large number of residents' were using a dedicated housing assessment facility set up following the major fire in Peckham which led to the evacutation of more than 300 people from their homes.

The centre in Cator Street is being used by council staff to assess the housing needs of those not able to return to their homes following the blaze, which started on a building site yesterday morning and spread to nearby flats.

Southwark Council has also thanked the generosity of the local community for donating food and clothing to the emergency rest centre set up in the aftermath of the fire.

At the peak of the fire in Carisbrooke Gardens on the Willowbrook Estate, 30 fire engines and more than 150 firefighters were at the scene. Investigations into the cause of the blaze are continuing today.

Councillor Kim Humphreys, executive member for housing at Southwark Council, said: “There has been an amazing response from the local community who have come along to the rest centre with their many donations, such as food, clothes and toys.

"We are extremely grateful for their fantastic generosity. We are working as hard we can to rehouse and support those families who are unable to return to their homes at this point.”

Camberwell and Peckham MP Harriet Harman said it was a "miracle" there had been no fatalities.

Ten people, including two police officers, were taken to hospital with minor injuries such as smoke inhalation.