Ipswich tower block partially evacuated over fire safety concerns
Residents on the top floors of Cardinal Lofts have been told to find new places to stay
Last updated 17th Nov 2022
An Ipswich tower block has been partially evacuated as the fire service say the top three floors are not safe to live in.
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has issued a Prohibition Notice for Cardinal Lofts, covering 15 apartments on floors seven to nine.
It calls for the company managing the building, Grey GR, to make urgent improvements to ensure residents are safe from the risk of fire - which were identified several years ago.
A waking watch will now patrol the rest of the building, while Grey GR are paying for temporary accomodation for the affected residents
Toby Gray, of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service remains committed to ensuring the safety of Cardinal Lofts residents in the event of a fire.
“As part of ongoing work, we have raised fire concerns and advised how the building’s management company can resolve them.
“This mitigation has not adequately addressed the risks posed to the upper three floors of the property, so it is in the best interest of residents in these apartments to be temporarily rehoused as a precautionary measure.
“We will continue to work with the management company to find a resolution. All Cardinal Lofts residents are being kept informed of progress.”
Viv Sharma lives there; he says it's been really hard for his family: "It's horrible, my kid is used to his own space - we've got all our food there and clothes. Basically, they've also changed the locks
So we don't have access to our own apartment, we only get in under their conditions. It's your home, and sacred - to be thrown out and have no time to even organise things.... it's terrible.
"they must have known all day and the crazy thing is the former management company - we only got an email at 11:30 at night - after the fire brigade have come in and knocked on the doors to say we need to move out
why would you send something that late - it's ridiculous
The main people that should be named and shamed - because it should be embarrassing for them - are the company worth 37 billion pounds. Does it take another Grenfell where people die? It should be their responsibility. Their properties should be in good order."