UK
‘It fills our heart’: Bride-to-be whose wedding dress was destroyed in Dagenham tower block fire given free replacement
A bride-to-be whose wedding dress was destroyed in a devastating fire at a block of flats has been given a free replacement thanks to “people’s kindness”.
Sous chef Agnieszka Uliasz and her fiance Lukasz Kurek feared their dream wedding was over after their belongings, including the dress, were lost in the blaze in Dagenham, east London.
The couple only had time to grab their phones and their dog before having to flee their home on Freshwater Road.
Now, the bridal shop where they bought the original dress has offered to replace it free of charge.
More than 80 people were evacuated from the building when it caught fire just before 3am on Monday.
A further 20 people were saved from the burning tower block in a “significant search and rescue operation”, which saw more than 200 firefighters involved.
London Fire Brigade said everyone was accounted for following the blaze.
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Dagenham fire: ‘Wedding dress was in the apartment’
Mr Kurek said the couple were overwhelmed by the help to replace the dress after they initially spoke to Sky News.
“We have been for another fitting and they are making some adjustments to it – we are so excited,” he said.
“Hopefully the wedding in three weeks will now go ahead.
“She was crying when I told her – we are falling apart right now but people’s kindness is holding us – it fills your heart.”
Mr Kurek, who works as a lorry driver, said he had been reassured authorities will help replace passports so they can travel to Poland, where they plan to get married in three weeks’ time.
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The dress is being held for the couple at Amore Bridal in Enfield, north London.
Shakira Ermis, who works at the shop, told Sky News: “We were devastated to hear what happened with the fire.
“Of course, we wanted to help – we are delighted to do anything we can to support the couple – they deserve their special day.”
Other Sky News viewers have offered to help the couple, who are in the process of setting up an online fundraising page.