Residents in a dangerously flammable Bromley flat-block are raising funds to cover the cost of a round-the-clock waking watch as coronavirus isolation cuts off many of their incomes.

Northpoint, a converted office block in Sherman Road, is wrapped with combustible cladding made from a similar material which spread the Grenfell Fire in 2017.

At the order of the fire brigade, residents have paid for a 24 hour waking watch service to ensure their safety, at a cost of £5,000 per week, without which the building would be closed, leaving them homeless.

However, some residents have already been made redundant in the wake of Covid-19 and many are in self-isolation without pay, meaning they are struggling to cover the cost.

Resident Danielle Humphreys, who launched a gofundme page yesterday, said: "We have paid this huge weekly bill for approximately two years, with lots of my neighbours having depleted their life savings and taken out loans to cover these bills.

"However, a number of residents will not be able to pay this bill in the coming weeks.

"Given the extraordinary circumstances we are facing we are calling on the community to help us cover the costs of 2 weeks’ worth of waking watch while many residents will be isolated and unable to work.

"Our flat block like many around the UK has people from all backgrounds; young families, NHS workers, retirees, self-employed people, retail workers, carers and many more, who are just trying to keep their homes."

Leaseholders face bills upwards of £70k to make Northpoint safe, an unachievable figure for near enough all 57 flats.

Residents, some of whom have been ill with stress, have faced months in limbo over who pays for the work.

Taylor Wimpey, the developer which sold the freehold in 2007, claims it has no responsibility or ownership for the building.

Citistead, the current freeholder, is holding back, putting responsibility with the government for allowing it to be built according to regulations which are now deemed unsafe.

Whilst Chancellor Rishi Sunak's announcement yesterday gave some security to employees that are unable to work, guaranteeing 80% of their wages, some MPs have warned the plan does nothing for the army of freelancers, contractors and the self-employed.

Former Conservative cabinet minister David Davis said the economy could suffer a near "fatal seizure" if they were not protected.

However, Treasury Chief Secretary Stephen Barclay said ministers were concentrating on measures which could be rolled out quickly to keep the economy going.

Experts warned that assessing the incomes of self-employed people who are outside the PAYE system would be difficult and would take time to work out.

To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/convid19-amp-cladding?utm_medium=chat&utm_source=whatsapp-visit&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet+exp4vb