Barton House report calls evacuation "mass traumatising event"
Medics are joining residents in asking Bristol City Council for rehousing
Health officials are calling the evacuation of Bristol tower block Barton House more than a year ago a "mass traumatising event", as they urge the City Council to rehouse residents who no longer wish to live there.
Hundreds of people living in the block were suddenly told to get out one evening in November 2023, when initial survey work suggested a fire or explosion could cause it to collapse.
The building was declared safe again several months later in February 2024, but now Medact, a health justice campaign group, has published a report recommending residents be rehoused and calling the evacuation an "exceptional case of failure and neglect".
In the report, which spans more than 30 pages, Medact describes how many residents first heard of the evacuation via local news outlets, calling it "sudden and alarming".
"The urgency of the evacuation and the state of the building’s safety was not made clear to the residents, so many left rapidly without taking any belongings," the report reads.
"There were reports of injuries sustained in the rush to evacuate. Some residents ventured back in to collect essential items, leaving their relatives waiting outside in fear that they may die inside a collapsing building.
"One thing that was clear and universal to all residents we interviewed was the sense of panic and fear they felt that evening. Many residents found it hard to talk about the evacuation due to the distressing memories it brought back.
"Some residents would become visibly upset, whilst others appeared to become quite emotionally shut-down and vacant. Some were able to recollect specific events, whilst others struggled to remember large chunks of time.
"All of these are characteristic signs and symptoms of people who have experienced a traumatic event."
Many of the residents were placed in hotels for the next several months, while others moved in with friends.
In May 2024, several months after residents had been told to move back in, the City Council declared it was considering several options for the block's long term future, including its demolition.
High emotion
During a meeting between residents and council officials on Wednesday 26th February, tensions flared.
As well as raising issues around the evacuation, many also expressed anger around the general state of the building, which is Bristol's oldest residential tower block.
"I have to listen to my six, nearly seven month old daughter struggle to breath in that building every night," one woman said.
"You've (the council) have had a doctors note. My doctor's told you it's because of the damp and mould in my flat...
"Most of you are scumbags. It's disgusting.
"If something happens to my daughter I will hold all of you accountable for it."
A man, a representative of the housing union ACORN, asked if the council considered the evacuation a disaster, while another accused the local authority of racism in how it has handled the saga.
Another woman said: "Every single on of these flats has damages to it. I've not had working heating for 16 years...
"My mum's a vulnerable person. If there was a fire I'm choosing between my son and my mum who to take out first.
"You've done nothing, absolutely nothing but give us more grief."
The report from Medact makes three recommendations as follows:
- Rehousing for families who do not feel safe living in Barton House
- A public apology to residents of Barton House over the handling of the crisis
- Compensation to all residents for the distress and costs incurred from the evacuation.
In response, councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, said: “I was at Barton House during the evening of the evacuation and visited families who had to leave their homes in the weeks afterwards, so I saw first-hand some of the shock and distress that residents felt. That’s why I’ve commissioned the service to review the rehousing options for people who have been affected.
“The council takes its duty of care to residents very seriously, and we endeavour to support the residents of Barton House where we can. Our priority remains to ensure that the health and wellbeing of all residents living in council housing is supported and we are living up to our promise to ensure they live in safe and decent homes.
“We acknowledge the report, and its contents, published today and thank Medact Bristol for the work they have done with Barton House residents and ACORN.
“Over the coming weeks we will take time to consider and reflect on the conclusions and recommendations of the report ahead of issuing a formal response by the end of March and updating residents on the actions we will take as a result.”