Investigators have concluded that a fire that broke out in the Mosaic Apartments in Slough was exacerbated by flammable cladding and strong winds after an external balcony light fitting caught fire. The incident, which occurred around midnight on August 22, 2024, led to the evacuation of nearly 300 residents, many of whom spent months in temporary housing. Residents have voiced concerns regarding the delayed removal of the highly flammable aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding, which has drawn parallels to the devastating Grenfell Tower fire.
One resident shared her distress, noting the significant disruption to her life and the psychological toll of living in uncertainty after the evacuation. She questioned the safety measures in place, wondering about the potential consequences had the fire caused injuries or fatalities. The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service reported that while the fire was likely accidental, the presence of combustible materials in the light fitting allowed the flames to spread rapidly to the ACM cladding, with wind further compounding the risk.
Thanks to alert neighbors, residents were able to evacuate quickly, and fortunately, there were no reported injuries. Following the incident, the building's owners, Wallace Estates, stated that they promptly worked to remove the ACM cladding from the top floors. As of early March, scaffolding around the building was scheduled for deconstruction, estimated to take three weeks.
A government representative acknowledged the slow pace of cladding removal nationwide, asserting that actions were being taken under the Remediation Acceleration Plan to expedite the process, ensure safety, and assist affected residents. The commitment to speeding up the removal and replacement of dangerous cladding reflects ongoing national concerns about building safety in the wake of tragic fire incidents across the UK.
