Tower Hamlets tower block residents left climbing stairs as lifts fail

However, residents said no help or support had been offered as yet.

Emails seen by the BBC from the property managers to residents explained that the recent hot weather had caused the lifts to switch to “fire safety mode”, which had caused them to stop working.

Tina said since she fainted on Tuesday evening, she had “self-evacuated” from the property, but said she did not know where she was going to sleep this evening.

“Thank goodness my flatmate knew that I was in the staircase, so she ended up coming to help, but if it wasn’t for that, I don’t know what I would have done to be very honest,” she said, adding that she has not had “any replies” from Sanctuary.

“I don’t think that this is humane,” she said.

“I’ve never felt so helpless before in a situation. This heatwave is an emergency in itself, added to this lift situation. I can’t even comprehend what to do.”

She added that the whole experience had left her to consider moving.