L&Q pledges investigation as fifth floor window falls from flat block

Housing association giant L&Q has promised residents a “thorough investigation” after a pane of glass fell five-storeys from one of its block of flats in Kilburn, north London, on Saturday.

The pane smashed as it landed on the patio of a ground floor flat at Chase House, which is part of the South Kilburn regeneration masterplan.

The 105,000-home social landlord said that no-one was hurt in the “shocking and worrying” incident at the block, which was built in 2012, and that its surveyors immediately began an investigation to determine how it happened.

The housing association has performed checks on all remaining windows where it has been able to gain access, and said it has advised residents to keep windows closed while further investigations are undertaken this week.

Local newspapers reports suggest residents of the 133-home Bourne Place development, of which Chase House is one block, have previously registered concerns with L&Q over the build quality of the scheme.

Bourne Place was built as the first phase of the South Kilburn regeneration masterplan.

An L&Q spokesperson said the landlord was “very sorry” to residents for the concern caused. The landlord said: “Thankfully nobody was hurt, but this was a shocking and worrying incident. The safety of our residents is L&Q’s number one priority”.

“Our surveying team attended the site immediately to make the window safe and begin a thorough investigation into why and how this happened.

“All residents in the block were sent a text message on Saturday afternoon, and we were able to check the windows in the homes where we were able to gain access over the weekend. Our surveyors have assessed that there is no further immediate risk.

“We will continue to keep residents informed and updated while we work to resolve all issues as quickly as possible.”