A fundraiser has been set up to help families who have "lost everything" in a huge fire at a block of flats.
Barking and Dagenham Council has started a GoFundMe page after a fire engulfed the Spectrum Building flat block near Freshwater Road in Chadwell Heath, near Dagenham, on Monday (August 26).
A total of 225 firefighters were called to the scene at 2.44am and more than 80 people had to be evacuated from the burning building, including children and families.
The council is supporting residents at an emergency rest centre set up at Becontree Health and Leisure Centre, and is hoping to raise £10,000 to get them "back on their feet" in the coming weeks.
READ MORE: Freshwater Road, Dagenham, fire: Everything we know
In a statement on Tuesday (August 27), Barking and Dagenham Council said: "We are deeply saddened by the fire which took place at a block of flats on Freshwater Road in Dagenham yesterday.
"Our thoughts are with everyone affected.
"We are relieved that there is no loss of life and grateful that all residents are safe and accounted for.
"Together with our partners, we have provided access to essential services, including emergency accommodation to residents who are unable to return home and have nowhere to stay."
The council thanked everyone who has "come forward to help and donate items to those who have lost everything", but added that they are not longer accepting any more donated items.
DAGENHAM FIRE UPDATE | We’ve set up a Go Fund Me where you can support people who've been affected by the fire at Freshwater Road, Dagenham.
— Barking and Dagenham Council (@lbbdcouncil) August 27, 2024
We’re asking people not to donate items. This is the best way to help: https://t.co/q6ceXQ1sV4
"We’re asking people not to come to the rest centre with items for donation at the moment because our staff are trying to support people who are understandably distressed," the council said on its fundraising page.
"The best way you can help right now is by donating on this page."
More than half of the £10,000 target has already been raised by more than 200 donations.
READ MORE: Freshwater Road, Dagenham, fire: Photos reveal severe damage
The money will go towards supporting residents of the Freshwater Road flat block, including a bride getting married in just a few weeks who lost her wedding dress.
No-one died in the fire, but two people were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service.
A full investigation into the fire and its cause has been launched by the London Fire Brigade, after London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe declared the building has "a number of safety issues" known to the LFB.
Margaret Mullane, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, said she has raised the issue of fire safety with the government and local councils in the wake of the Spectrum Building fire.
She praised the community response, adding: "The local community has also been fantastic, rallying around with donations and support to the families who have lost all their belongings.”
Donate to the Go Fund Me page at gofundme.com/f/help-for-families-dagenham-fire-2024.
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