Council reviewing safety policy after tragic blaze

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) says it is reviewing safety measures with Kent Fire and Rescue Service after the tragic fire at a high-rise block in London last week.

An unconfirmed number of people died in the huge blaze at Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey building in west London.

While ABC does not have any high-rise blocks and it says safety policies are up to date, the council says that members and officers are responding proactively to the incident to reassure residents.

The council has issued the following statement: “Ashford Borough Council does not have any high rise blocks within our Housing Revenue Account (HRA) stock, however we do have a number of blocks of flats and maisonettes in the Ashford area, together with sheltered housing schemes.

“All the Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) for our HRA blocks were updated this year and we have no outstanding priority actions.

“For all our blocks we do have Ashford Borough Council is reviewing safety measures after the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in London a stay put policy and every block has a fire action plan. All our flats are fitted with Grade D fire detectors.”

The “stay put” policy is on the advice of the council’s independent expert fire risk assessment inspector, and means that anyone in a flat where a fire has started will need to be evacuated but neighbours should not need to leave and will remain safe due to fire resistant construction.

In rare circumstances where the fire resistant construction is breached, fire may spread within a block and full evacuation would be necessary.

The spokesman continued: “All external cladding fitted recently to our blocks will be ‘Class 0’ which means it will not propagate a fire or flame spread, however we will obviously take note of the investigation into this tragic incident and take appropriate action should that investigation identify any issues in relation to the cladding materials or any other related recommendations so we can continue to ensure the safety of our residents.

“We have been in communication today with our contacts at Kent Fire Service and we have agreed that we will work together to ensure that our working practices continue to follow best advice and are efficient.”

‘We will obviously take note of the investigation into this tragic incident and take appropriate action’

At a cabinet council meeting held at the Civic Centre on Thursday, Ashford Borough Council leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson said: “I would like to express my sadness on behalf of the council on the tragic event at Grenfell Tower in London.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected.

“I’d like to assure everyone that all the appropriate safety procedures and policies are up to date, in place and fully adhered to, however we are currently reviewing matters in the light of this disaster.

“We will obviously take note of the investigation into this tragic incident and, if necessary, take appropriate action should that investigation identify any recommendations which mean we can continue to ensure the safety of our residents.”

Cllr Clarkson was a chief fire officer in London earlier in his career.