MLA to meet with officials over high-rise fire standards

A SINN Fein MLA is to meet Housing Executive officials over fire safety in tower blocks.

It comes amid concerns over the lack of sprinklers in high-rise flats in the wake of the Grenfell disaster.

A BBC investigation which focused on half the UK’s council and housing association-owned tower blocks found just 2% have full sprinkler systems.

The Housing Executive owns more than 30 high-rise residential blocks across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and Larne.

In June it emerged no fire sprinklers had been installed in the buildings due to their age.

The Housing Executive has insisted it is fully compliant with fire safety regulations.

Sinn Fein housing spokesperson Caral Ni Chuilin said she would be meeting officials from the Housing Executive to raise concerns.

She added: “There can be no room for complacency when it comes to protecting people’s lives.”

A Housing Executive spokesman said: “The Housing Executive has set up an independent reference group to explore and analyse the precautionary measures they have undertaken on their 33 tower blocks following the Grenfell tragedy.”

At least 80 people died when fire engulfed the Grenfell Tower block in West London on June 14.