July: Fires started by arson - community support emergency response
On Monday 27 July, a shed and bins were set alight causing damage at different sites. London Fire Brigade (LFB) were quickly on the scene, evacuating Campbell House and putting out the fires. The Community Centre once again became a welfare and respite base, providing families with a calm and welcoming space with breakfast, drinks and snacks, chargers and practical support from the Centre team and WCRA Committee members and local volunteers, and lunch, advice and support from the Council's Housing and emergency response staff. The police updated WCRA a few hours later that two people had been arrested on suspicion of arson. LFB and the Council were able to check all the flats for safety and most people were able to return that day, with some households put up in hotels overnight by the Council. WCRA would like to thank Sainsbury's for their support and generosity in donating water and biscuits for those who had been evacuated, and to acknowledge the lunches provided by local cafes. See brief media report here
London Fire Brigade will be running some useful sessions to help us all plan how to respond if we find a fire in our flat or block. These will be held at the Community Centre in August, and will include one for children and others for adults - we will update as the dates are confirmed.
To check fire safety at home, use the LFB's checker: Home Fire Safety Checker | London Fire Brigade
June: Tragic news that three residents of White City died in a fire at the Over 50s Centre.
Following the tragic fire on Saturday 20th June, we held a community briefing on Wednesday 24th at 7pm (at the Community Centre and online). We heard from London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police Service, Hammersmith and Fulham Council and then there were many questions from the community - with many answers still to be provided by LBHF. A summary is available here. The recording is online here. An article about the meeting is here: Serious questions asked of Hammersmith and Fulham Council after fire at 'neglected' building kills 3
On Sat 4th July, 12-4, there was a community fire safety awareness day at White City. Attending were fire trucks and personnel as well as cadets, education officers and even the fire investigation dog. Local police supported, along with fire safety officers from the Council.
There were further discussion of fire safety issues at two meetings in July: Wed 15 July, the WCRA Open Meeting from 7pm; and Wed 22nd July, the police-community White City Ward Panel from 5.30.
Friends of the men who died were present and shared a fundraising page they have set up to support the family with practical and funeral costs - to donate, see site: www.gofundme.com/f/kristin-kirilov-guffy
For advice and support after what was a major incident for our community, please see NHS England — London » Help and support after a traumatic event
For the facts of the incident, please see London Fire Brigade's statement: https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/incidents/2026/june/fire-white-city/
To check fire safety at home, use the LFB's checker: Home Fire Safety Checker | London Fire Brigade
To share information about the fire, you can contact the police or the fire brigade or email caroline@whitecitycc.org.uk to pass on information to the police detectives who are investigating
If you see the London Air Ambulance landing, please clear the area and take loose items with you - see the information from the London Air Ambulance here (information video opens in Facebook)
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