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Tornado homes escape demolition | Tornado homes escape demolition |
(about 1 hour later) | |
All of the homes damaged by a tornado in north-west London will be saved from demolition, surveyors have said. | All of the homes damaged by a tornado in north-west London will be saved from demolition, surveyors have said. |
More than 100 houses in Kensal Rise were damaged on Thursday and experts initially believed some would need to be knocked down. | More than 100 houses in Kensal Rise were damaged on Thursday and experts initially believed some would need to be knocked down. |
But this has been discounted following further inspections of the properties. | But this has been discounted following further inspections of the properties. |
Meanwhile, contractors trying to repair homes have complained parked cars blocking nearby streets are hampering their efforts. | Meanwhile, contractors trying to repair homes have complained parked cars blocking nearby streets are hampering their efforts. |
Brent Council has put up posters around the area and leafleted residents to urge them to remove their vehicles. | Brent Council has put up posters around the area and leafleted residents to urge them to remove their vehicles. |
76th birthday | 76th birthday |
Surveyors on site say progress is being made and that five more families have been allowed to return to their homes - bringing the number of uninhabitable homes down from 34 to 29. | Surveyors on site say progress is being made and that five more families have been allowed to return to their homes - bringing the number of uninhabitable homes down from 34 to 29. |
Andy Hardy, director of building control for Brent Council said: "It is now my opinion that no homes will be demolished as a result of the tornado. They can all be saved." | Andy Hardy, director of building control for Brent Council said: "It is now my opinion that no homes will be demolished as a result of the tornado. They can all be saved." |
The authority has rehoused 12 people but most of those affected had decided to stay with family and friends. | |
About 100 residents have spent their second night in temporary accommodation after being told it was too dangerous to return to their homes. | About 100 residents have spent their second night in temporary accommodation after being told it was too dangerous to return to their homes. |
Among them was Elma Bettencourt, who spent her 76th birthday in a local community hall with her husband Herman. | |
She said: "It was certainly different. I was celebrating in the same dirty clothes as I've been in for two days. But my family did what they could to make it feel special." | She said: "It was certainly different. I was celebrating in the same dirty clothes as I've been in for two days. But my family did what they could to make it feel special." |
Brent Council said it was working to get people back in their homes as soon as possible but safety was a priority. | Brent Council said it was working to get people back in their homes as soon as possible but safety was a priority. |
Weatherproofing homes | |
It has moved its support centre to Kensal Rise Methodist Church Hall in Chamberlain Road. | |
At a meeting held at the venue on Saturday morning, residents were urged to contact their insurers as soon as possible. | |
Brent Council's Irfan Malik said: "Our surveyors are only supposed to make sure properties are structurally safe. It is residents' responsibility to get insurers in to do weatherproofing as soon as possible." | |
Brent Council has set up a residents' inquiries number which is open from 0900 to 1700 GMT daily on 0208 937 5255. | Brent Council has set up a residents' inquiries number which is open from 0900 to 1700 GMT daily on 0208 937 5255. |
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