New safety measures in wake of tower block fires

Bristol City Council has announced it will introduce precautionary fire measures in tower blocks after a review found that that flammable cladding had “contributed to the spread” of a fire on October 20.

The fire that was started at Eccleston House in Barton Hill injured six people, three of whom were taken to hospital for burns and smoke inhalation.

It came just one month after a deadly blaze at another council tower block, Twinnell House in Easton.

Now council chiefs are concerned about the safety of other tower blocks in the city with the same type of cladding, a building material used in between walls.

The council is bringing in safety measures and plans to replace the cladding – which could take a decade.

Flammable cladding contributed to the spread of the fire at Eccleston House in Barton Hill – photo: Martin Booth

Tom Renhard, cabinet member for housing, said: “Avon Fire and Rescue have reviewed the arson at Eccleston House on October 20 and concluded that the expanded polystyrene cladding (EPS) contributed to the spread of fire.

“As a result, we have taken the decision to add new precautionary measures in all blocks that have EPS cladding.”

Removing all EPS cladding from council tower blocks could take eight to ten years, Renhard said.

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Read more: Residents ‘left in limbo’ after building safety issues remain unresolved

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Meanwhile, 38 blocks across Bristol will see ‘waking watch’ fire marshals patrolling the buildings around the clock, until new evacuation alarms can be installed.

The sprinkler programme will also be “accelerated” with the need for sprinklers evaluated for each block.

Some blocks already have waking watch fire wardens, but new patrols will begin at 27 other blocks within the next two weeks, meaning two thirds of all the council-owned blocks will see around-the-clock patrols.

The council will write to all affected tower block residents, explaining the works and patrols, and changes to evacuation plans if more fires happen.

Renhard said the measures were “precautionary” and asked the government to provide more support for councils across the country with fire safety. He also pledged to attend several residents’ meetings at council tower blocks across Bristol, to hear any concerns.

After the Twinnell House fire in September, residents asked the mayor and Renhard to come to a meeting and face questions about why sprinklers hadn’t been installed yet — but they didn’t attend.

Empty chairs with Tom Renhard and Marvin Rees names on after they didn’t respond to an invitation to a Twinnell House meeting – photo: Darren Shepherd

Speaking about the new measures, Renhard said: “While I understand this could be a concern for high-rise residents, I want to reassure them that these measures are precautionary only. They show an abundance of caution on our part as I want to be confident that our blocks are safe.

“The programme of new measures and the works that will take place in coming months should reassure residents we’re putting wellbeing first.

“I’ve also written to the government to request that they step up their level of support for local authorities across the UK, not just in Bristol, as similar fire safety patrols may be needed in other parts of the UK too.”

A new programme for installing sprinklers in council tower blocks was introduced in January 2019, but so far it’s unclear how much progress the council has made.

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Read more: Twinnel House residents demand answers on ‘inadequate’ fire safety measures

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Responding to the new measures, Shaban Ali, an ACORN housing union member and Barton House resident said: “It shouldn’t have taken this long or needed to turn into a battle for the council as well as the mayor to see common sense and stick to promises made in 2019 post-Grenfell but we’re ecstatic our collective voice, along with the backing and support of ACORN, has been heard and finally action is being taken to make buildings safe. Families and their loved ones can now sleep easy.”

Concerns over fire safety took off nationwide after the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017. EPS cladding is different from the aluminium composite material cladding that contributed to the spread of the fire at Grenfell Tower, which killed 72 people.

EPS cladding in council tower blocks in Bristol will be replaced with a rock-based cladding instead.

“While these new plans are substantial wins for campaigners, many tower blocks are left out and residents are calling for sprinklers to be fitted in all council tower blocks in the city,” a statement from ACORN said.

“Residents have planned a community get-together at 11am on the 26th of November outside Twinnell House, to mark two months since the fire and to demand the council take further action to make all tower blocks in the city safe.”

Main photo: Ellie Pipe

Read next:

• Man arrested on suspicion of arson following tower block fire
• Community rallies together in wake of tower block fire
• ‘I was scared for my life and my son’s life’ – Tower block residents recall night of fire
• Man dead and eight in hospital after fire in tower block

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