The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Multi-storey safety review begins
A 12-week review of fire safety at Fife’s multi-storey flats was launched by Fife Council yesterday in a bid to assure residents they are safe.
The horrific fire at Grenfell Tower in London, which killed 79 people, prompted the wholesale exercise.
The three blocks at Ravenscraig in Kirkcaldy, three at Broomhead Drive in Dunfermline and two at Swan and Memorial Courts in Methil, will be inspected first.
Officers will then move onto the region’s lower-rise flats, followed by other types of housing.
In addition, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will carry out their own checks.
Officers said the material used to re-clad the Fife blocks was entirely different to that used at Grenfell and is fire-retardant.
Housing manager Keith Brown said: “The building regulations here are more stringent than they are south of the border.
“The pictures we saw on the news of the fire spreading up the outside of the building won’t happen in any of the council’s blocks,” he added.
The review will also look at other aspects of fire safety, including management arrangements and the need for sprinklers, and residents will receive weekly updates.
Head of housing John Mills said money would be found to address any issues uncovered during the exercise.
“I’ve said to Keith, whatever resources you need, just do it,” he said.
Angela Johnston, chairwoman of Ravenscraig tenants and residents association, said: “I have spoken to a lot of residents and although there are concerns, the council has been very open.
“We are definitely reassured by the fact we have different cladding to the type used at Grenfell.”
Housing spokesperson councillor Judy Hamilton said: “People are hearing a lot of information but they need to be given the chance to be heard.”