Two flat blocks evacuated over structural problems

More than 200 households have been evacuated from two blocks of flats in east London due to "serious structural issues" in both buildings.

Newham Council said it was providing emergency accommodation and support to residents from about 210 households from Centurion Tower and St Vincent Court in Canning Town, who were evacuated in the early hours of Friday.

The council said it was informed by the London Fire Brigade on Thursday night of serious structural problems in the buildings, which had been reported by the property management company.

John Gray, Newham's deputy mayor and cabinet member for housing, said the council was on hand to support affected residents.

"The council immediately set up a rest centre and provided emergency accommodation and support for residents without alternative accommodation for the night," Gray said.

He encouraged residents to make contact with the property management company Prime Property Management for additional support regarding alternative accommodation.

"We are here for residents if they need assistance while this issue is resolved, and will support and are working with the property management company to achieve the best solutions for our people," Gray said.

The deputy mayor added that council officers were on site and were working with the property management company and emergency services to minimise any risk to members of the public.

The London Fire Brigade said it was called to reports of a dangerous structure at a block of flats on Hoy Street in Canning Town at 22:42 BST on Thursday. It said one engine from Poplar Fire Station attended the scene.

In a statement, Prime Property Management, which manages the buildings on behalf of their two right-to-manage companies, said structural engineers had identified "an imminent risk to life" linked to a transfer slab beneath St Vincent Court, Centurion Tower and Sovereign Tower.

"We recognise the enormity of asking anyone to leave their home. These are not decisions we have made lightly, but they have been made because safety is our immediate priority," it said.

"Engineers are urgently investigating whether similar risks are present in the transfer slab beneath Prince Court and Thanet Tower," it added.

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