Residents of eight tower blocks in London, including Royal Artillery Quays (RAQ), are voicing serious concerns about fire safety risks, reminiscent of the Grenfell Tower tragedy from eight years ago.

The Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, which resulted in 72 fatalities, has intensified scrutiny on building safety regulations, prompting calls for comprehensive reforms following a recent inquiry that revealed widespread failures.

A 2022 report from Urban Change classified all eight RAQ buildings as 'high fire risk', citing inadequate workmanship in the installation of external wall insulation and the absence of essential fire break fittings.

Barratt, the developer of RAQ, has pledged to address the fire safety issues at no cost to leaseholders, with remediation work expected to begin soon, contingent on obtaining necessary permissions.

Despite the ongoing issues, the council emphasizes its commitment to ensuring safety in residential developments and supports the actions being taken to rectify the identified problems at RAQ.

While developers plan to replace external cladding this month, residents argue that internal fire safety issues remain unresolved, putting their safety at risk.

Catherine Dugué, a long-term resident, expressed frustration over the council's lack of support and pointed out discrepancies in fire safety features that were not constructed according to original plans.

Residents feel that Greenwich Council is not adequately supporting their claims regarding breaches of safety regulations during the original construction of the RAQ blocks.

Greenwich Council has acknowledged the need for remediation works but claims there is insufficient evidence to enforce actions under the Building Act 1984.

In contrast to the RAQ situation, another development, Mast Quay, was ordered to be demolished in 2023 due to serious planning violations, raising questions about the council's varied responses to different constructions.

Concerns have been raised about the only fire escape route being surrounded by highly combustible materials, particularly in the stairwell, which is lined with aluminum panels known for their high combustibility.

The Labour-run Greenwich Council has faced accusations of neglecting residents' fire safety concerns, with RAQ Residents Association chair Stephen Day stating that their campaign for safety has been overlooked.