Barnet Council and Barnet Homes continue to work with the residents affected by last week’s fire at Willow House, East Finchley.
Hendon Town Hall
Approximately 60 residents were safely evacuated from their homes following the fire in the early hours of Wednesday, 7 November. No one was injured during the fire.
Residents from one of the two blocks affected by the fire were allowed to return to their homes on the same day. Residents who live in the other block were unable to return to their properties. The cause of the fire is still being investigated and will be confirmed by the London Fire Brigade.
Suitable alternative accommodation has been provided to these residents. Barnet Council and Barnet Homes have been working together to support all of the residents of 1-12 Willow House in terms of temporary accommodation, emergency compensation, and gaining access to their belongings, where safe to do so. The priority is to house residents in the borough, or as close to the borough as possible, while the council and Barnet Homes work to find suitable longer-term alternative accommodation.
The Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, said: “I visited Willow House last week and it is very evident that people in Barnet really come together during times of difficulty. This is something to be extremely proud of.
“Once again, I would like to pass on my thanks to the emergency services for acting so quickly and with the utmost professionalism. Officers from Barnet Council and Barnet Homes have also worked extremely hard in helping to support the residents affected by last week’s fire. This support has included providing temporary accommodation, emergency compensation, and gaining access to their belongings, where safe to do so.
“I must also thank the community for their invaluable help and support over the past week. I would strongly encourage people who would like to make a contribution to please visit the Go Fund Me donation page that has been set up. We will continue to support residents, so that they can all get back to normal as soon as possible.”
For further information on the response to last week's fire, please visit Barnet Homes website.