Families forced to move out of their homes following the Shepherd’s Bush tower block blaze which London Fire Brigade (LFB) has blamed on a faulty tumble dryer awaiting modification say they have been snubbed by Whirlpool.
The multi-million pound electrical giant owns the Indesit brand which firefighters say was responsible for the blaze that damaged several floors of the 18-storey Shepherd's Court building in August last year.
Now Whirlpool has been accused of wilfully delaying the victims’ legal claims for compensation, and refusing to pay towards a crisis fund set up to help lessen the pain.
Among those upset is Chantel Froelich, who lost most of her clothes and belongings in the blaze.
She was one of 50 residents left without a home and told the Mirror: “Whirlpool have a lot to answer for.
"We were walking around in flip-flops but they wouldn’t give us anything for new clothes.”
Whirpool had been advising that the machines listed as faulty and awaiting modifications were safe to use unless left unattended, but following mounting pressure from London Fire Brigade, Which?, Andy Slaughter MP and Hammersmith and Fulham Council, produced a U-turn last week, telling customers to unplug the tumble dryers and avoid using until repaired.
The Shepherd's Court victims spent up to six months in emergency accommodation before some, including Chantal, were let back into their flats, but at least eight are still homeless.
Despite the LFB findings, Whirlpool has never accepted responsibility for the fire.
But Chantel said: “It’s clear it was their dryer, and it’s clear there was a fault with it as they have admitted that.
“This has disrupted a lot of lives. What are they waiting for? We felt completely lost without our home and belongings.
“We’ve just been passed from pillar to post and Whirlpool are not taking any responsibility. We had to buy all new clothes. We’ve all been left out of pocket.”
Some of the families taking legal action against Whirlpool are being represented by Leigh Day Solicitors.
After waiting months victims finally got a response to their claim for compensation – but only one that delays the process even further.
Now, residents face a two-year battle for payouts.
Tom Jervis of Leigh Day Solicitors said: “Whirlpool are just stalling. We can push them as hard as we can but they are getting us stuck in the legal process.
“They’ve said it’s going to take a few more months.
“We’ve also asked them for an emergency payment because people who lost everything aren’t in a position to wait, but they have flatly refused.”
The fund Whirlpool refused to pay into would have covered the cost of replacement clothes and other essentials as well as accommodation fees.
Despite Whirlpool’s long-standing advice that tumble dryers were safe to use unless left unattended, the Shepherd’s Bush fire started at the flat of Debbie Defreitas while she was at home.
Despite her best efforts she was unable to stop flames from spreading and enveloping several floors of the building.
Whirlpool has been contacted for comment.
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