Haringey Council’s leader Cllr Joseph Ejiofor has pledged to offer “any support we can” to residents affected by a “devastating” fire in a council housing block.

Cllr Ejiofor said the council will continue to help residents find alternative accommodation following the blaze at Firs House, in Acacia Road, Wood Green, on April 29.

The fire, which lasted for several hours, “completely destroyed” one maisonette spread over the second and third floor of the building, according to London Fire Brigade.

Around 20 people were evacuated by fire crews but there were no injuries, the fire brigade said.

Firs House is owned by the council and managed by its housing arm, Homes for Haringey.

The council said 41 residents had to be moved out of the block after the fire.

Cllr Ejiofor said: “This fire is devastating for the families affected and I am grateful to the London Fire Brigade who managed to get everyone out of the building safely.

“The council set up a rest centre overnight and we ensured that everyone was re-housed within 24 hours. As we await the results of the investigation, we will continue to work with Homes for Haringey to help affected residents find alternative accommodation and offer any support we can.”

Following the blaze, the council sought emergency accommodation for those affected and provided household essentials to help them to settle into the new accommodation.

The council says each family has a named tenancy officer who is in touch with them regularly, and it is providing “targeted support based on individual needs to help residents settle in” while it continues to consider their medium to longer-term accommodation options.

While Haringey Council cannot currently give a timescale for repair work due to an ongoing investigation by the emergency services, it pledged to let residents know as soon as possible.

A London Fire Brigade statement on the fire said: “Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters attended a fire at a maisonette on Acacia Road in Wood Green.

“Firefighters tackled a fire within a four-storey building of maisonettes, one maisonette spread over the second and third floor was completely destroyed by the fire.

“Around 20 people were evacuated by fire crews using breathing apparatus and three people were assessed by London Ambulance Service at the scene, luckily there were no injuries.

“The brigade control office received 16 calls about the fire.

“The brigade was called at 9.58pm and the fire was under control at 12am. Fire crews from Tottenham, Hornsey, Edmonton, Holloway, Stoke Newington and Southgate fire stations attended the scene.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.”