Residents who had to be rehoused in the aftermath of a huge fire in a block of flats in Shepherd's Bush are still unable to return to their homes two weeks after the incident.

More than 20 families affected by the blaze, which swept through a tower block on the Charecroft Estate in Shepherd's Bush on August 19, have been put up in nearby hotels including K West Hotel.

Health and safety reasons are being given for why they are still unable to return to their flats, however Hammersmith & Fulham Council says it has been in contact with all affected families to ensure they al have offers of accommodation, all of which have been accepted.

A letter from the council sent to those staying at the hotel states that work is continuing at the flats and a timescale for them to move home is still yet to be finalised.

The fire was found by London Fire Brigade to have been caused by a faulty tumble dryer.

One resident told getwestlondon people are at their wits' end, saying Hammersmith and Fulham Council has told them there are now no rooms available at the K West Hotel, despite one resident claiming to have been told by hotel management that there are.

Chantal Froelich, 36, who has lived in an eight floor flat for 10 years and works in the local area says the council has 'no compassion' sparking fears of a protest.

'There's nothing wrong with our flats'

She added: “There are still 22 families that cannot go home but there is nothing wrong our flats.

“We were in K West until today (September 2) but now the council are saying the hotel do not want us there anymore.

“The council has treated us like dirt. At first they were trying to rehouse us in hostels and now there is no indication of when we can go home.

“They told us last night that K West has no availability – I spoke to the manager and they said they do. The insurance will cover it.

“We have been walking around in the same clothes as we cannot get things from our flats. It is beyond a joke.”

Watch flames leaping from Shepherd's Bush flats as emergency services race to scene

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Ms Froelich says there was no fire damage to her flat, other than her front door being broken down, and people living above her have been allowed to move back in.

She has offered to sign a disclaimer if it means she can move back in but the council has declined this suggestion.

“The council says its due to health and safety yet people living on the 10 floor have been allowed back in," she said.

“They need to keep us put, near the community hall where we are meeting to deal with this – why uproot us now?

“We have been through a lot and need some compassion and we are not getting it.

“The next thing is sitting on the Green (Shepherd's Bush Green) and protesting.”

'Work will take some time'

Hammersmith and Fulham Council have been contacted for a comment, but the letter sent to residents explained that work is continuing to allow them to move home.

It read: "Some of you have been asking how long the works will take, and how quickly you can move back to you homes.

"There are a number of parties we have to work with, including our insurers, and we are working hard to get a timeline and schedule of works agreed.

"We hope to be able to give you a clearer idea of how long the works will take towards the end of next week, but we do know that the works will take some time.

"We continue to try and book local hotels for you as an emergency measure, while we find longer term temporary accommodation. We have started to contact you about suitable homes which you can move into on a temporary basis."

A council spokesman said nine families were currently staying in hotel accommodation.

They said: "We've met all the residents and given them wide-ranging help and support. Many of them have been offered several alternative flats and all nine families have now accepted offers of other accommodation in the borough. No-one has been asked to move out of the borough.

"It is likely to be some considerable time before the necessary work can be done to make everyone's homes safe to return to. We will move people back as soon as we possibly can, as the fire caused serious damage and residents' safety has to come first.

"Wherever it has been safe to do so, residents have been taken back into their flats to collect possessions.

"We have made it very clear from the start that the current hotel booking, where we had secured a special discounted rate, could only be a temporary arrangement following the emergency, while we find alternative temporary accommodation, and that after the August bank holiday all the families would need to move.

"We understand that the families were reluctant to leave their current hotel, but the K-West has confirmed they don't have vacancies to cover next week, so there is no option for them to remain where they are."