Three men die in White City fire at disused council building

Three men died in a fire at the former Over 50s Centre on White City Estate on the evening of 20 June 2026. The building, owned by Hammersmith and Fulham Council, had been closed for around a decade. Approximately 100 firefighters attended the blaze, which resulted in the deaths of Hristo Ivanov Tomov, Kristin Deyanov Kirilov and Ivo Ivanov Bohotski.

Two of the men died at the scene. The third died after being taken to hospital. The West London Coroner opened an inquest into the deaths but suspended it pending the outcome of a Metropolitan Police investigation. The coroner confirmed the identities of the deceased on 18 August 2026, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Building history and council responsibility

The Over 50s Centre, built in the 1980s, was shut by Hammersmith and Fulham Council around ten years ago. After its closure, the building was occupied by homeless individuals. A guardianship scheme managed the property until the end of 2024. Once the guardians vacated, homeless individuals moved back in, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A council housing office operates next door to the former centre. Residents at a public meeting in June 2026 said the council knew people were squatting in the building. Two friends of the deceased urged the council to provide more support for those affected. Harry Audley, a long-time White City resident and former chair of the White City Residents Association, called for a transparent investigation into the council’s decisions about the building.

Community response and next steps

The White City Residents Association said the fire had deeply affected the community. It is organising support sessions for residents and friends of the deceased, funded by a donation from Hammersmith United Charities. The association has also demanded answers from the council about how the building was maintained in the years before the fire.

A spokesperson for the White City Residents Association said the community had come together to support each other after the fire. They added that residents were looking for clear answers from the council about safety measures at the Over 50s Centre. The association is setting up listening and support sessions to help people process the emotional impact of the tragedy.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council said it was supporting the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade with their investigation. A council spokesperson said they had extended their deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the three men who died.

What happens next

The Metropolitan Police investigation into the fire is ongoing. The West London Coroner will resume the inquest once the police conclude their work. Hammersmith and Fulham Council has not yet provided a timeline for releasing findings on the building’s maintenance or its future use.