A tenant in a Wandsworth housing block is “very uncomfortable and nervous” in her own home following a fire on Monday.

On Monday, June 26, just after 10pm, London Fire Brigade was called to a small fire in the bin room of Landseer House on the Doddington Estate in Battersea.

Artist Raksha Patel, 45, was alerted to the fire by her flatmate who had just arrived home from work and smelled smoke.

After ringing LFB, she said: “We banged on neighbours’ doors and got most people living on our floor out of the building- by then the smoke had reached the fifth floor.”

“The fire engines came quickly but no smoke alarms went off and we don’t have sprinkler systems either.

“We actually pay £1200 PCM to live in our flat and are angry that the building has no basic fire provisions.”

Wandsworth Times:

Landseer House 

Wandsworth Council recently announced it would be fitting sprinklers into all tower blocks 10 storeys and above, which would include buildings on the Doddington Estate.

Wandsworth Council announced the news on Friday, June 23, and said “work will commence as soon as possible”.

However, Landseer House has eight floors.

A spokesperson for the council said: “This was a very small fire in a bin chamber, believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette, which was dealt with in just a few minutes by the fire brigade who have not reported any concerns to us.

“If this resident wishes to contact us direct we will be happy to discuss any concerns she has.”

Dealt with quickly

A spokesperson for LFB said the fire was out in 13 minutes and that five engines attended, as is the policy with all high blocks in the wake of the Grenfill Tower fire that claimed at least 79 lives in north Kensington.

Although the fire was dealt with swiftly, Ms Patel fears tenants are not adequately protected.

She said: “We have only had one letter from the council with fire safety advice.

“There are no signs except for a new one on the bottom floor and if there was a fire outside my door our only way out would be the window on the fifth floor.”

Ms Patel, who works at the Tate Modern, was also concerned about the amount of rubbish lying around the area.

Wandsworth Times:

However, after complaining to the council the rubbish was picked up yesterday (June 27).

The council’s advice to residents of high-rise blocks:

• Make sure you have a working smoke alarm in your home – these will be provided at no cost

• Check your smoke alarm is working every month

• Keep balconies free from clutter

• Don’t leave rubbish or bikes in communal areas or obstruct escape routes

• Make sure you know where your nearest fire exit is

• Do not smoke in common areas of the block

• Always fully extinguish cigarettes smoked in your home and dispose of them carefully and safely

How do you feel about fire safety in your block? Contact: grainne.cuffe@london.newsquest.co.uk