Residents of the Gascoigne estate in Barking are being alerted to an ongoing training exercise between the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the council at Fiske Court.

The purpose of the exercise is to implement and practise lessons learnt following the Grenfell tragedy. This exercise is to practice the LFB's tactics for keeping residents safe in high-rise buildings. 

Fiske Court is a decanted council tower block and will serve as a training facility for a period of approximately 9 months until demolition works commence as part of the council’s estate regeneration programme.

There will be four planned exercises every month until July and the next dates for May are Thursday 4, Tuesday 16 and Tuesday 30. 

Councillor Saima Ashraf, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, said: “I am so proud that we have been able to accommodate the London Fire Brigade in a partnership for an exercise that will benefit the whole of London.

“I would like to use this opportunity to assure residents that this will in no way cause any disruptions to them.”

Residents may see lots of fire engines and cosmetic smoke in the area between these times. If they have a genuine emergency, please call the emergency services on 999 as normal.