Probe reveals failings in high-rise flats fire safety

[dutchman]

BBC Inside Out has discovered that the government was so concerned about fire safety in high-rise blocks that it wrote to all local authorities requesting fire safety checks on all high rises.



Among the blocks visited by the BBC team was Douglas House in Coventry, to test fire safety with fire surveyor Arnold Tarling.

There was no immediate risk of fire at Douglas House, but Mr Tarling found breaches in fire safety legislation.

The block is run by Whitefriars Housing, who told the BBC: "Our customers' safety is our chief concern. We have conducted in-depth fire risk assessments three times in the past year.

"We are satisfied that these blocks meet appropriate safety levels. In each case the assessments, with the fire service in attendance, identified that there are no significant fire safety concerns with these blocks.

"As is always the case, there will be ongoing repair requirements which we will continue to deal with as and when they occur."

A government spokesman said: "Fire safety in high-rise buildings is a matter of great concern to the thousands of people who live in them and the government takes this issue very seriously.

"The Decent Homes programme has also improved the quality and safety of social housing by requiring that homes should be free from serious health and safety hazards, including fire."

[dutchman]

Coventry's Douglas House is at 4mins18: