Residents still living in fear over fire risk

“I’m not interested in the politics, I am concerned about the potential loss of human life.”

These were the words of Chichester resident Cath Gater, pictured, who has raised concerns over a fire risk at her block of flats.

In 2019, fire marshals were instructed to patrol Grainger House in Winden Avenue on a 24/7 basis.

However problems continue to persist two years later with ‘no evacuation equipment’ available and ‘only one main exit’.

Cath said: “We have had problems with the electrics and we can’t get any answers over the fire alarm system.

“We have been treading over debris where they’ve ripped the ceiling down. It’s been an absolute nightmare. There’s no consideration for any of the residents.

“On the top floor, we’ve got vulnerable adults with mobility issues. They would struggle to get people out in the event of an evacuation. It’s just horrendous. The fire marshals are here because the building is still at risk.”

Cath said she and other residents are ‘sitting in limbo’, adding: “We are laying in bed every night wondering if there is going to be a breach.

“Are they playing Russian Roulette with us?”

Jack Bernard, Hyde’s head of fire safety and delivery, offered an apology to Grainger House residents ‘for any inconvenience caused’.

He said residents are regularly updated during meetings ‘as the work progresses’, adding: “The safety of our residents is our utmost priority. The design of the building in relation to exits is in accordance with the relevant building regulations at the time of construction. We regularly liaise with our vulnerable residents, carrying out ongoing individual personal evacuation assessments where required and continue to work closely with the fire and rescue service in managing the safety of Grainger House and our residents. I am not aware of any unanswered questions from residents, but always encourage our residents to get in touch with us so that we can answer any concerns that they may have.”

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it has been working closely with the housing provider and residents to help the co-ordination of this remediation work and the ‘ongoing maintenance of building safety arrangements’.