Residents return after tower block ruled safe

Residents were allowed to return to their homes on Friday night

People evacuated from a high-rise tower block in north London that developed a crack have been allowed to return to their homes after an assessment found the building was “structurally sound”.

About 150 people were evacuated from 70 flats in The Combe in Munster Square, Camden, on Thursday, when a resident heard a loud noise in the building.

Following inspections, Camden Council said the block was deemed "safe and the London Fire Brigade (LFB) agree with our assessment” and allowed residents to return on Friday evening.

The council said all but three households could return after specialist engineers said the crack on the ninth floor was on an internal, non-load bearing wall, which did not affect the integrity of the building.

The residents who could not yet return live in the flat where the crack was found as well as the flats immediately above and below it.

Additional monitoring will be carried out across the upcoming week to ensure it is safe.

Camden council said those residents had been offered accommodation and support.

In total, 50 residents stayed at a rest centre in Swiss Cottage on Thursday night, and were supported by the council and British Red Cross.

The council-owned building is made up of a mix of tenants and leaseholders.