Landlord Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing insists all the fire alarms at Maybury Close were inspected within the last nine months but residents say they didn’t go off

The aftermath of the fire in Maybury Close (credit Rick Jewell) — The aftermath of the fire in Maybury Close on Monday, 22nd September (credit Rick Jewell)

The landlord of an Enfield block of flats that went up in flames has claimed its fire alarm system “was fully compliant” despite several residents claiming it failed to work on the night.

Residents of the block in Maybury Close were forced to flee the building in the early hours of Monday, 22^nd September, with many only being woken up when neighbours banged on their doors.

Fortunately, everyone managed to escape and there were no serious injuries, although three children did require hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.

Since the fire, questions have been raised over the block’s alarm system. Based on conversations the Dispatch has had with residents, it appears the fire alarms in the hallways did not go off, while several within people’s flats also failed.

On the morning of the fire Yunus Mert, a resident who had helped people escape, said “there was a little alarm I could hear but not in my flat”, while Paul Lane, another resident of the block, said: “The alarm wasn’t working. He [Yunus] ran around waking everyone up.”

A third resident, speaking to the Dispatch anonymously last week, insisted that she did not hear a single alarm either in her flat or in the hallway as she made her escape, while the fire raged.

Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, which manages the building, insists all of the building’s alarms had been checked within the last nine months and that fire safety is “our highest priority”.

A spokesperson for the landlord said: “The serious fire at Maybury Close was a deeply distressing incident, and our dedicated teams are continuing to work hard to provide comprehensive support to residents during this difficult time.

“We can confirm that all fire alarms at Maybury Close are tested every twelve months and were last tested between December 2024 and August 2025. The alarm system was fully compliant, and worked as intended on the night of the fire.

“Fire safety, as well as residents’ feeling of safety, is our highest priority, and we have robust inspection and maintenance regimes across all our properties.”

Additional concerns have been raised regarding the building’s front door. The fire was started on the top floor, with a man who does not live in the block being charged with arson and attempted murder.

The anonymous resident said it would have been easy for anyone to enter the building because of the faulty front door. “It is one of those doors that can just be pulled open,” she said. “I didn’t have a buzzer that worked either.”

Nathaniel Dwyer-White, aged 33 and of Chiswick Road, Edmonton, has been charged with attempted murder, arson with intent to endanger life, actual bodily harm, stalking and sending threatening letters or communication. He is due to appear at the Old Bailey next Thursday (23rd).

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