The fire service handed control of Madingley tower block back to Kingston Council at 11.45am this morning, leaving the authority to make safety checks on the electricity and lifts before allowing residents to reclaim possessions.

About 45 people are gathered in Piper Hall waiting to hear more information this afternoon, as the council looks to provide emergency accommodation for people for a second night.

All Madingley residents were found alternative shelter by 11.30pm last night, many with friends and relatives elsewhere on the Cambridge Road estate, while the council singled out the Bull and Bush in Washington Road for providing emergency accommodation.

The council said 16 to 24 flats at the top of the tower block had suffered the most damage, and it has suspended its choiced based lettings system of allocating vacant properties so it could prioritise those in most need.

Councillor Frances Moseley, executive member for housing, said the building was insured, but the biggest problem facing the council would be repairing massive damage caused to the roof.

Norbiton residents have been praised for rallying around the community, and John Lewis provided food and water, as well as a shoes for a man who had left the tower block wearing just a pair of slippers.

Many people said they were anxious about medication left in their flats, while others were attempting to find temporary homes for pets.

Tim Bell, acting chairman of the Cambridge Road Estate Residents' Assocation, said donations of clothes were pouring in.

He said: “All I'm doing is helping with clothes so we can make sure people can have clothing. We have got lots of clothing for people and they are probably going to need it. The residents have got together and are a credit to the community.”

Jill Preston, Cambridge Road estates community group, said: “We are working mainly on respite. A lot are quite shocked but it is almost like the Blitz spirit. We have seven tables of clothes.

“A lot of people took their neighbours in. Now we are just working with the council to find people more permenant places to stay.”