Exclusive

"We were told not to have fairy lights because our building might be flammable"

25 August 2020, 13:35

"We were told not to have fairy lights because our building might be flammable"

By Adrian Sherling

This caller told James O'Brien that the situation in her block of flats is so bad, she has been told not to put up fairy lights because the building is flammable.

Following Rachael Venables' exclusive about a block of flats in north London in which the properties are "worthless" because of unsafe cladding, LBC was inundated with stories from other people in a similar position.

Victoria called in to tell James the story of her building, which has been considered dangerous enough for the Housing Association to tell them not to risk putting fairy lights up or having a barbecue.

She said: "We live in a Shared Ownership Housing Association flat and we were told in 2017 by the Housing Association that we didn't have any cladding on our building.

"But just before the pandemic, we were told there was cladding. It turns out it does have flammable material, but we've never been formally notified. We know this because the building manual confirms we have three types of potentially flammable material, including HPL.

"Despite this, the only letters the Housing Association have sent us is to say 'Please do not have fairy lights or barbecues on your balcony due to cladding concerns'."

James O'Brien could not believe Victoria's story
James O'Brien could not believe Victoria's story. Picture: LBC / PA

Things get even worse. If the Housing Association cannot secure a government grant for the works, the residents will be charged for it themselves.

And all of this happened right before lockdown, so residents were stuck in their flats, not knowing if they are safe or not.

The whole story really shook LBC listeners. Watch it at the top of the page.

LBC caller in Lviv explains how Ukrainians feel betrayed by America

LBC caller in Lviv explains how Ukrainians feel 'betrayed' by America

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her take on the state of the West

LBC caller impresses James O'Brien with her take on the state of the West

James O'Brien

Caller John: 'The best way to understand Trump tariffs is Red Dwarf'

James O'Brien

James O'Brien challenges caller to provide evidence of Israeli accountability

James O'Brien

LBC callers share landlord horror stories

Man whose parents were murdered by Hamas on October 7 says: We are on precipice of global war— Peace is possible.

Man whose parents were murdered by Hamas on October 7 says: We are on precipice of global war— Peace is possible

Full Disclosure live on stage with James O'Brien and Carol Vorderman: Buy your tickets here

Full Disclosure live on stage with James O'Brien and Carol Vorderman: Buy your tickets here

Exclusive
The Conservative Party Conference this year is more notable for who's not there than who is, both journalistically and possibly politically, says James O'Brien

After 14 years in power, Tories can't dodge responsibility for their mess, says James O'Brien

An LBC caller shared the shocking moment she discovered child sex abuse images on her ex-husband's computer

LBC caller shares harrowing moment she discovered child sex abuse images on ex-husband’s computer

Exclusive
'Messing with kids minds in a big way': Tony Blair calls for social media regulation as he admits 'we can't go on like this'

'Messing with kids' minds': Tony Blair calls for greater social media regulation, admitting: 'we can't go on like this'

Londoners to question the Mayor at annual State of London Debate with LBC

Londoners to question the Mayor at annual State of London Debate with LBC

Sacked borders watchdog David Neal said the Home Office is 'dysfunctional' and needs reform.

'It goes to the very top': Sacked border watchdog slams Home Office and calls for reform after Cleverly row

Exclusive
Shahd Waleed is trying to leave Rafah with her parents and enter Egypt

'They want us to experience pain': Young woman trapped in Rafah with her parents tells of terror as Israel invasion looms

Sir Keir Starmer has defended comments he made about Margaret Thatcher earlier this month.

Starmer defends Thatcher comments as he says he ‘completely disagrees’ with former prime minister’s politics

A caller to James O’Brien’s programme has shared footage of the extraordinary destruction done to his newly purchased property just outside of Durham.

Property investor's shock at 'unexplainable level of damage' he discovered after buying new home

Exclusive
James Cleverly replaced Suella Braverman as home secretary on Monday

'I've spent more time with James Cleverly this week than with Suella Braverman in the last year', Sadiq Khan tells LBC