A children’s centre has been forced to close this morning while electrics are checked following flooding caused by a nearby fire at a Woodford Green tower block.

Ilford Recorder:

Two lifts are also out of use due to water damage at the block of flats in Liston Way, on the Orchard Estate, following a “major fire” on the tenth floor on Saturday morning.

A man and a woman were treated for smoke inhalation, but fortunately there were no serious injuries.

The Orchard Children’s Centre, at the Broadmead Centre in Navestock Crecent, was closed due to flooding.

An inspection of the lifts and the centre was set to be carried out at 9am today (Monday) to assess the damage to the electrics.

A council spokesman said: “Our staff visited all residents affected by the fire and are checking the damage to properties and offering any support required.

“We had a team on the estate yesterday who started the clean-up operation.”

Eight-one firefighters from Woodford, Walthamstow, Dagenham, Plaistow, Leyton, Leytonstone, Edmonton, Enfield, and Tottenham were called to the scene.

Jason Davis was among the nine MET special constables that were also deployed to support the evacuation of the area, and to put road blocks in place at key junctions.

The team were praised by senior command officers for their support and determination after they managed to continue to run part of their traffic operation on the same day.

If you need help with urgent repairs due to the fire or hose water damage, please contact the council’s emergency repairs team on 0800 393 994.

There is also help available for anyone with urgent mobility issues or other social services needs, who are asked to call 020 8708 5897.

The spokesman added: “We would like to thank residents for their patience during this time.”

Did you see the fire? Call 0208 477 3825, or email newsdesk@ilfordrecorder.co.uk.