Residents of Plymouth tower block told to leave, amid fire risk concerns
The City Council has issued a prohibition notice on 42 flats in the Latitude 52 block in Devonport
People living in flats in a Plymouth tower block, have been asked to leave.
An inspection by the fire service found a number of serious safety issues.
The City Council has issued a prohibition notice on flats in the Latitude 52 block in Devonport.
The inspection by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue revealed:
• Fire alarm system not working
• Ventilation detection system not operating
• Smoke ventilation system in the atrium altered
• Designed-in safety systems altered
• Primary escape routes compromised by the presence of combustible items
• Atrium compromised by the presence of combustible items and electrical hazards
• Void in ceiling and walls of underground car park
• Softwood timber cladding of stairs and walkways in communal parts
• Timber cladding and potential combustible materials on the external elevations
Plymouth City Council says the prohibition order will stay in place until the problems are fixed.
The Council's Housing Improvement Team has suggested residents stay with family or friends.
Two households have gone in to emergency accommodation.
Area manager Darren Peters, from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said:
"After a recent inspection by our high rise buildings team at Latitude 52, we found fire safety deficiencies which led to Plymouth City Council serving prohibition notices to 42 flats the upper levels under the Housing Act 2004.
"The high rise building team have also served prohibition notices on two additional flats, used as short term lets and the underground parking area due to further fire safety concerns.
"The building management have put in place a 24 hour waking watch and the building evacuation plan has changed from ‘stay put’ to ‘simultaneous’ (everyone should evacuate) while we and our PCC colleagues are working with the building owners to rectify these deficiencies.
"As a further safety measure to the public and our crews we have increased our pre-determined attendance to this building by two fire engines."