St Mark’s Square Bromley cladding replacement after 2 fires

The works will update the balconies and roof terraces of homes in St Mark’s Square, where a block of flats caught fire on August 15 due to a faulty extension lead on a 10th floor balcony.

The incident followed a blaze in the complex in July 2022 which damaged the roof of another block in the square that was still being repaired at the time of the fire in August this year.

The fire reportedly started on a 10th floor balcony

Lib Dem Councillor Sam Webber asked the leader of Bromley Council at a meeting on October 14 for an update on the remediation works that were being carried out at the development following the fire.

Conservative Councillor Colin Smith, leader of Bromley Council, said he had been told a number of residents had been moved back into the buildings after being decanted following the fire to allow repairs to be carried out.

A resident at Varney Court, the affected block, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) in August that tenants were being moved as far as Dartford by housing association Moat Homes following the incident.

Cllr Smith added that developers LandsecU+I said the cladding used in the balconies and roof terraces of the building was a form of treated timber that was less prone to igniting.

They said that the cladding reportedly remained compliant with fire safety regulations.

Speaking on behalf of Mike Hood, LandsecU+I’s CEO, Cllr Smith said: “The London Fire Brigade have already confirmed that the cladding performed as it should have done during the fire and assisted in containing it from spreading.”

He added: “However, we recognise that the use of timber in this context is now not seen as best practice given the enhancements in fire safety regs in recent years, as other materials would provide better fire stopping properties.

"As such, we have been in the process of replacing the timber cladding on all roof terraces across St Mark’s Square.”

The council leader said the CEO had confirmed work to replace the cladding in the square was ongoing at the time of the fire and will continue as residents are placed back into Varney Court.

Fire safety measures were also being reviewed to determine where improvements could be made in the buildings.

London Fire Brigade reportedly carried out a full assessment of the building and its certification following the blaze, with Mr Hood claiming LandsecU+I would take appropriate action in response.

Anne Brighton, Director of Neighbourhood Services at Moat Homes, previously told the LDRS that the company’s focus was to keep its customers safe and support them with anything they needed alongside alternative housing after the incident.

A spokesperson for St Mark’s Square previously told the LDRS: “We know the fire would have been extremely frightening and concerning for residents.

"Our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected. Fortunately, no residents were injured and all life safety systems operated as they should which enabled the London Fire Brigade to extinguish the fire swiftly.”