Families affected by a fire at flats in Orpington are reaching breaking point after being told they cannot move back into their homes.

The fire in Orpington High Street happened on July 2, resulting in families being forced to live in Travelodge hotels in Bromley and Woolwich.

One resident, Rebecca, 26, has been signed off work with anxiety and is staying at a Travelodge hotel without her children.

“My two daughters are staying with their dad,” she told News Shopper. “I don’t want them living in a hotel. It is disruptive and there are a lot of distressed kids here.

“My seven-year-old daughter said to me ‘we need a home mummy’. That is when it hit me because even she realised this isn’t what it should be.”

Rebecca said she has been told that she won’t be allowed back in her flat for up to 12 months.

She added: “I have suffered with depression since I was young and this has put me over the edge. We still have to pay rent to cover the hotel but the food and laundry costs are adding up.”

Another mum, who didn’t want to be named, said the stress is becoming unbearable.

“It is just horrible,” she said. “The kids just want to go home and play with their toys.”

The mum has had to move between Travelodge hotels in Bromley and Woolwich.

She claims to not have enough beds in her room for her and her children - a complaint also made by other families who are cramped in one-bedroom rooms.

News Shopper understands that one African family have been forced to split after Travelodge refused to allow six people to share a single room.

All Saints Church Orpington has handed out food and Tesco vouchers to try and give struggling families some respite.

The mum added: “The church have been so kind. This whole situation has been so stressful for everyone.

“It is so awful, especially for the children.”

Tony Mogan, head of Hyde Housing Association, said the company is trying to find short-term accommodation for the displaced residents.

He added: “We do understand how difficult this situation is for our residents and are doing everything we can to help.

“We are using hotels on a short term basis whilst we try to find more suitable temporary accommodation and we are working with Bromley Council to achieve this as quickly as possible. Some of the hotels were pre-booked and have no vacancies this weekend, so we have had to move people to ensure they have accommodation.

“We are continuing to try to find more suitable accommodation closer to home and doing our best for our residents in what is a very difficult situation. We will continue to be in close contact with all residents affected.”