Calls for sprinklers are yet to be heeded

ONLY SOME HOUSING PROVIDERS MAKE SAFETY COMMITMENT

and the store remained open.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Police were called to a one-vehicle-damage-only collision at Asda on Lintonville Terrace in Ashington.

“It happened at 1.47pm on Tuesday, October 3, the car driven by an 89-year-old man crashed into the building.

“No-one was injured but the driver was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Northumbria Police on 101 quoting the reference 570 of 03/10/17. motor patrols officers are now appealing for witnesses following the fatal collision.

A spokesperson for the Northumbria Police said: “The man driving the vehicle involved in the collision was uninjured and is assisting police with their enquiries.

“Enquiries are ongoing and officers would like to speak to anyone who saw what happened.”

Witnesses should call police on 101 quoting log 232, of 02/10/17. Reporter AS work to retro-fit sprinklers in the Byker Wall flats presses ahead, local authority housing providers are yet to commit to introducing the measures.

Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy some authorities and providers have taken the initiative and committed themselves to installing the safety systems in high-rise blocks.

As reported last month, the Byker Community Trust is among them and has applied for planning permission to retro-fit the life-saving equipment in part of the iconic Byker Wall.

But while North East council housing providers have been publicly open to the idea, none are yet to commit to it 15 weeks on from the deadly June 14 blaze.

In the wake of the fire, we launched the What Price Life? campaign to demand the highest safety standards for our high-rise residents.

One of our central demands was for housing providers to retro-fit sprinkler The Riverside Dene tower blocks in Newcastle systems in tower blocks, a call backed by safety experts.

Alan Robson, assistant chief fire officer of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, told us that “sprinklers save lives” and the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Fire Association has also supported our campaign.

The public inquiry into the causes and aftermath of the Grenfell fire is expected to make recommendations about improving fire safety across the UK and North East councils have signalled they are waiting for the findings before making a decision.

Newcastle City Council passed a motion back in June calling on the Government to make funding available

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