Families still in temporary housing a year after fire

A family who escaped from a fire at their block of flats and are still in temporary accommodation one year on say the wait to return home has been "stressful and emotional".

The fire which broke out in Conquest House, on Crabble Hill in Dover, in the early hours of 20 April 2025, saw 37 flats being evacuated and a further five damaged by the blaze.

Residents had to vacate their homes immediately, with many of them also having to leave behind personal belongings.

The property's landlord, Town and Country Housing, says 16 households have been moved to new, permanent homes and the remaining 21 remain in temporary accommodation until they can return to Conqueror House.

The fire broke out in an external bin and it spread to the building.

Wioletta and Alex escaped the flames that night with only the clothes they were wearing.

Wioletta said: "After the fire, my heart is crying every single day.

"That fire changed my life, my life is very different."

Alex added: "This doesn't feel like home for me, I wish things were the same as before.

"It has been stressful and emotional."

Since the fire, work has been carried out at the building, including reinstalling the lift, and reconnecting utilities.

However, work on the remaining 28 properties has been described as a "complex project" and is expected to continue until at least autumn 2027, the landlord says.

A spokesperson for Town & Country Housing added: "The first anniversary of the fire at Conqueror House will be a difficult time for those affected by the incident.

"Our team of highly experienced staff were on site to support residents in the immediate aftermath of the fire.

"This support has evolved over the past year to meet changing needs. It remains available to all residents."

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