Sleepless nights for residents rehoused after fire

Firefighters returned to the scene a week later to "remove items for further analysis"

Residents left homeless following a fire in an east London block of flats say they are unable to sleep and "exhausted" due to the uncertainty over their future.

The cause of the fire on 5 June is unknown but police and fire investigation teams have told the BBC that "certain items have been removed for further analysis".

None of the 50 people evacuated from the four storey block on Dalston Lane, in Hackney, have returned home with many of them living in hotels.

Housing association Peabody, which is responsible for the building, says it is "prioritising more comfortable places to stay" while Hackney Council says it is "liaising with Peabody".

About half of residents in the Peabody-managed estate initially stayed with friends and family while the rest were put up in emergency hotels.

Disabled veteran Neil, 57, is without a specialist £8,500 bed which was not retrieved from his property.

As well as having to buy clothing, Neil had to purchase a new laptop to continue doing his job as a peer support worker for the NHS.

He says he was told by an estate manager that the cost for this laptop would be reimbursed but Peabody later told him that would not be offered.

He said: "I’ve seen the flats. We’re not moving back into them."

Elizabeth said: "I am unable to sleep, I have lost my appetite."

Another resident, whose children attend school in Hackney, is being moved eight miles (about 12km) away to Chingford.

She said: "I don't know how I'm going to do this, I'm exhausted.

"My kids have fallen severely ill, my health is deteriorating. I've just had to accept it."

'Homes in short supply'

Tracy Packer, managing director for Peabody north east London, said: "We completely understand that staying in a hotel isn’t ideal, and our immediate priority is to find residents somewhere more comfortable to stay.

"Unfortunately, this may take some time because homes are in short supply, and we thank residents for bearing with us."

Elizabeth, second left, with fellow residents

London Fire Brigade previously said it received more than 35 calls from members of the public about the blaze which took around two hours to bring under control.

Dawn Carter-McDonald, chief executive of Hackney Council, said: "While Peabody is managing the ongoing support to their tenants, people can get in touch with their local councillor or with the council if they would like us to contact Peabody on their behalf."