Apparently it was reclad in 2016. Not sure what though but look at the pictures and videos it could well have been one of those cheap Chinese made aluminium composite things.
It doesn't look cladded to me, although it apparently is.
Apparently it was reclad in 2016. Not sure what though but look at the pictures and videos it could well have been one of those cheap Chinese made aluminium composite things.
Its council owned, so apologies will be released, blame will be shifted about and facts hidden until it all blows over
From my experience helping manage a block of 36 flats (as a resident director) no matter how many times you tell people about keeping hallways clear, and no matter how many letters you post or clearances you carry out, many people don't or won't take fire safety seriously. Tackling serial offenders can be expensive, time consuming and often futile, which is very frustrating.I heard this on the radio driving to work, horrific. Apparently those living in the tower block did complain on multiple occasions regarding fire safety, but nothing was done about it![]()
From my experience helping manage a block of 36 flats (as a resident director) no matter how many times you tell people about keeping hallways clear, and no matter how many letters you post or clearances you carry out, many people don't or won't take fire safety seriously. Tackling serial offenders can be expensive, time consuming and often futile, which is very frustrating.
The 'good' news about this awful event is that something has clearly gone very wrong with the cladding. This is going to be horrible.
Edit: I see the complaints in question included concerns about the cladding. I heard someone on the TV talking about clutter in hallways though, which is what prompted me to type based on personal experience.
Eye witness reports sound horrific. Sounds like some serious issues with official advice too - one person quoted as being told to stay in place? I doubt the age of the building helped this fire. I always assume that with strict regulation today this kind of thing can't happen. Absolutely tragic.
A serious investigation will follow this no doubt.
The current advice, according to our professional block management who are pretty thorough, is that it's nearly always better to trust the emergency services and fireproof design of flats rather than risking the stairwell, which can quickly become a death trap. Not all advice suits all circumstances though... and I don't know what advice would suit this horrific incident. There may not be any. :-/one person quoted as being told to stay in place?.
Both are an almost certain death sentence (smoke inhalation incapacitates fast), staying put extends that sentence and gives emergency services more time to reach you. Having said that I would probably have rolled the dice with the stairwell too.That is absolutely retarded.. surely it's a death sentence to sit in your flat as fires consume the building. Yeah, there might be smoke on the stairwell but I'd rather chance it than wait to die.