Harlow residents back home after evacuation

Fire crews were called to Edmunds Tower on Saturday

Author: Anthony ZahraPublished 31st Dec 2023

People living in a block of flats in Harlow were evacuated on Saturday afternoon after residents reported they could smell smoke.

Fire crews and council staff were called in to Edmunds Tower to make sure the building was safe.

Nobody was hurt, although three families were taken to hospital as a precaution.

In a statement, Essex Fire Service said: "We have been working with partner agencies, including Harlow District Council and Cadent, to resolve an incident at Edmunds Tower in Haydens Road, Harlow.

"We were called at 4.18pm by a concerned resident and we have been working to make sure the building is safe.

"We were able to hand over the building to the local authority shortly before 9pm."

Harlow Council has thanked residents for their "assistance and patience and the local community for their kind offers of support – particularly Mr Coster at Hare Street School".

The council says housing officers will be carrying out further visits to the tower in the coming days and speaking individually to residents.