As reported by the BBC, a total of 4,400 domestic flats will be checked for fire safety issues and risks. The announcement comes after the tragic fire at Twinnell House, Easton, where a 30-year-old man died, and eight others were hospitalized.
Author's quote
On 4 October 2022, Tom Renhard – the councilor for housing – addressed cabinet members by saying that the money would come from a £3.8 million underspend in the 2021/2022 housing revenue account: “Fire safety is a hugely important area for Bristol City Council, and we’ve invested over £2.5 million a year in fire safety measures across our council properties. We’ve been regularly reviewing how our buildings are operating and that our fire safety measures are up to date, working very closely with Avon Fire & Rescue Service."
“The recent tragic case at Twinnell House is a sobering reminder that incidents can happen, and having fire safety measures in place is really important to protect the whole buildings and the residents in the event of an emergency. The measures worked; they kept the fire contained.”
fire risks caused by electrical items
Abdul Jabar Oryakhel died attempting to escape his flat on the top floor of the 16-storey building after a fire started by an electric bike broke out. Since the tragic incident, the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Reeves, requested residents be aware of the fire risks caused by electrical items and to refrain from leaving items to charge overnight.
Fire risks caused by electrical items and to refrain from leaving items to charge overnight
He also commended the Fire and Rescue Services for the way it handled the blaze at the Easton tower block: “Fire safety has always been a priority but what we saw in that [Twinnell House] fire was a fire broke out in a top-floor flat, did not spread, our cladding did not combust, the fire was contained within the flat, the fire service had access to it.
“It should give us confidence in the measures in place in our blocks of flats,” he said.
cabinet report
A cabinet report detailed that a pilot phase had already begun to assess four flats to “test the market and identify costs.”
It is expected that each inspection will cost up to £18,000, with a total estimated cost “in excess of £800,000.” The report said: “Independent assessments have been completed to assess the fire safety measures in place. Bristol City Council believes that our high-rise blocks of flats are safe, and the previous independent assessments have corroborated this. However, new regulations have been produced following the Grenfell Inquiry, and we are now required to plan a new inspection program for the blocks that are over 18 meters.”
