Residents Express Concern Over Flammable Cladding at Fire-Damaged Flats

Residents returning to a residential building previously affected by fire have voiced apprehension that combustible cladding is still present on the structure. Nearly 300 individuals were evacuated from Mosaic Apartments in Slough on 22 August, with many subsequently spending several months residing in hotels and temporary housing. Construction work is currently ongoing at the apartment block, with a section of flammable cladding scheduled for removal in January. Wallace Estates, the freeholder of the property, stated: “The safety of residents remains our priority and is under constant review.” Rekha Raju, whose baby is due this month, has submitted one month’s notice to vacate her residence, citing safety concerns. She explained: “I do need to find a new place since I am pregnant, I am due this month, I have already told my landlord.” “It was four months of frustration,” Mrs Raju recounted, having been relocated multiple times before finally securing an apartment in Heathrow. She added: “We felt homeless to be honest, carrying stuff to one place to the other.” Describing the period, she said: “It was the most horrendous [time] in my life.” Mrs Raju, along with her husband, expressed worry about the flammable cladding and the ongoing construction activities within the apartment complex. She further elaborated on her decision to leave: “I’m leaving because I can’t stay here anymore, it’s not very safe.” She also expressed a specific fear: “If anything wrong happens while I am alone in this apartment – if my husband is away I will be in trouble.” Another resident, Amana Farhan, questioned the situation, stating: “Why is there still cladding knowing the residents will be returning, they had four months to do that, what were they doing?” Harsha Kunku has also moved back home with his wife and child, noting that living in a hotel for four months with his young family presented significant challenges. He mentioned that his daughter experienced trauma following the fire, becoming “very scared” whenever a fire alarm sounded. “We had to reassure her and try and educate her and she is confident now,” he shared, adding: “Finally things are falling into place again.” However, he conveyed continued apprehension regarding the cladding, remarking: “I don’t know why it hasn’t been removed… It’s kind of worrisome.” In a formal statement, Wallace Estates affirmed: “We have been working as quickly as possible, the extent of the fire safety defects means that some work is still ongoing. The safety of residents remains our priority and is under constant review.” The freeholder also indicated that a continuous “waking watch” would be in place to ensure resident safety throughout the duration of the work.