A family made homeless by a flat fire have been placed in temporary accommodation in Edmonton by Redbridge Council while their home is repaired.

Ilford Recorder: The kitchen after the fireThe kitchen after the fire (Image: Archant)

Chloe Eldred, 19, was alone with her six-month- old baby Freddie in the flat, in Cranbrook Road, Barkingside, when the blaze started on Wednesday of last week.

She had left toast under the grill while checking on Freddie, who was crying, when she smelt smoke.

The cooker “exploded” and the flat was severely damaged by fire.

She and boyfriend Elliott Bristow have now been put into temporary accommodation with Freddie until the flat is repaired by the council.

But the shared house in Edmonton, north London, is far from the couple’s friends and family.

Elliott said: “They said we could be here for six weeks but it’s a bit crowded.

“We’re all in one room but what else can we do? At least we’re all together.”