Housing Executive to meet fire officials over high rise safety fears

Thursday, 15 June 2017 13:24

By David Hunter

The Housing Executive in Northern Ireland has issued fire safety advice to residents in high rise accommodation.

It comes in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London which has left at least 17 people dead.

Authorities have carried out additional safety checks at 32 high rise buildings across Northern Ireland since the news emerged yesterday morning.

Officials also say they've planned meetings with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

.@nihecommunity will deliver Fire Safety leaflets to residents in all 32 high rise accommodation blocks in N.I in the wake of London tragedy pic.twitter.com/fIN4D4yECg
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 15, 2017

A spokesperson said: “Amidst all of this, our continuing thoughts are with the victims, families and all those affected by the fire in Grenfell, London.

“We once again want to reassure our tenants that their safety is taken extremely seriously by the Housing Executive.

“In 46 years, we have never had a major incident of this type in any of our high rise buildings."

“Our high rise building design includes fire breaks on every floor - all blocks have fire resistant staircases with fire doors and smoke alarms in the communal areas.

“Every resident in every Housing Executive high rise building will also receive a fire safety leaflet today."

The organisation also confirmed lessons will be learned from the investigation in London.

They said: "We will take those on board and as a responsible landlord, we will undertake any actions that are required to ensure the safety of our tenants.

“We have also arranged meetings with the manufacturers of the cladding used on the tower blocks to receive extra reassurance."

Meanwhile, the executive has been had a significant number of calls from residents and politicians on the back of the London tragedy.

Here's the Housing Executive's Paul Isherwood...