‘I heard this crashing noise’: Roof comes flying off estate in high winds

The roof of around six flats on an estate came flying off in high winds today.

Residents of the Cressingham Gardens estate in Lambeth were “shocked” to see the aluminium roof had peeled off and was hanging down next to the block of flats.

There are no reports of any injuries but Lambeth council is arranging temporary accommodation for people who have been affected.

(Video credit: Evette Phipps)

One resident, Evette Phipps, 61, said maintenance of the estate was “poor”.

“I was in the kitchen and I heard this crashing noise,” she said. “I  went outside and just saw the whole roof had blown off.

“The fire brigade came straight away and we got called by Lambeth council who said we’d have to move, but I’ve not heard anything since.

“I’m extremely upset. This our home. We’re all a bit deflated at the moment.”

Ms Phipps said there were children in the top floor flats but they had been assisted by the London Fire Brigade (LFB), who arrived just after 10am.

Cressingham Gardens is in the middle of an estate regeneration, but Ms Phipps says the council never make any repairs.

“There has been wind but also poor maintenance,” she said. “Nothing ever gets fixed around here. We pay our taxes but we’re living in squalor.”

A spokesman for LFB said: “Firefighters were called to a partial roof collapse at a flat in Longford Walk in Tulse Hill.

“The aluminium roof of a three-storey block of flats had peeled off in high winds and was in a precarious position.

“Firefighters used one of the brigade’s 32-metre ladders to work at height and make the scene safe.

“A cordon was put in place as a precaution. There were no reports of any injuries.”

A Lambeth council spokesman said: “Following high winds this morning the roof on a block at the Cressingham Gardens Estate has been damaged. Council officers are on site offering support to residents and assessing damage.

“Scaffolding is being erected as a matter of urgency to make the properties safe and so repairs can take place.

“We are also arranging temporary accommodation for residents affected while this work takes place.

“We will continue giving residents all the support we can while these repairs are carried out.”

Pictured top: The damaged roof in Cressingham Gardens (Picture: Evette Phipps)