The Barking Riverside redevelopment was managed by L&Q. The six storey block was built by Bellway homes, and sold to a private landlord.
Safety concerns
Residents had complained that the use of wood on the flats was unsafe. Bellway Homes which built the block of flats assured them that the wood cladding was fire retardant. Peter Mason, chair of the Barking Reach residents’ association contacted the builder in May 2019 to ask for the fire risk to be investigated after seeing a BBC Watchdog report that highlighted fire safety problems at two other developments. He was told via e-mail not to worry, as the construction method was different to the ones in the report.
Fire and aftermath
The fire started at 3.30 pm 9 June 2019 at a newly built six storey block of flats named Samuel Garside House; located in De Pass Gardens, Barking, London, the United Kingdom. The developers believe the fire to have been started by a barbecue on a fourth floor balcony. It spread rapidly engulfing the wooded balconies. Residents stated afterwards that the fire alarm was not triggered, nor did the sprinkler system activate. Residents informed their neighbours by banging on doors. The fire brigade attended and initially were hampered by finding a water supply. They deployed 15 fire engines and around 100 firefighters. It was declared to be under control at 6.30 pm. Twenty flats in the block were destroyed, and 10 flats smoke damaged. There were no deaths or serious injuries; two residents were treated for smoke inhalation. According to Inside Housing magazine a report prepared by Osterna for the building managers RMG had said the external cladding, wooden joists and deck balconies were "a significant hazard" and recommended both that a responsible person should check whether the wood had been appropriately treated and that the residents should be advised not to use barbecues on the balconies. The builders Bellway claimed not to have seen that report before the fire. Also according to Inside Housingthe material used for the cladding and decking was ThermoWood, which was banned for use on buildings over 18 metres high and has a class D rating. Inside Housing found twenty low rise developments where its use had been authorised.
