ALT Statement on the major fire incident in Dagenham – 09:00 26th August 2024 First and foremost, while there is a significant search and rescue operation ongoing, the number one priority is that the residents affected by the major fire incident in Dagenham are all safe and well – and that they are given the support and answers that they need in the weeks and months ahead. It is very concerning that this building was known to have had serious fire safety issues, including unsafe cladding which had still not been removed. Seven years after Grenfell, there are still many thousands of buildings across the country with life-critical fire safety defects and the pace of remediation has been shockingly slow. Being “in negotiations” about remediation or having “plans in place” counts for little when dangerous cladding – or other construction defects that enable fire to spread rapidly – remain on people’s homes. Today’s incident demonstrates why action remains so urgent. Fire won’t wait...