Colleges face fire checks in wake of blaze

Scottish universities and colleges are being ordered to ensure all their student accommodation is safe in the wake of a blaze in Bolton.

Hundreds of students fled the huge fire at a six-storey block with external cladding nine days ago.

UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has written to English universities asking them to review their fire safety procedures and to report back to him.

The Scottish Funding Council will also ask universities and colleges here to confirm their fire safety procedures and safeguards.

The Scottish Government said: “People’s safety is our primary concern which is why the Scottish Funding Council has agreed to ministers’ requests to write to all colleges and universities seeking assurances that buildings used for student accommodation have been subject to fire safety assessment.

“The cause of the fire in Bolton is still being investigated. Although we already have stringent regulations in place, the Scottish Government will also review the investigation’s findings closely and take any necessary steps to maintain safety.”

Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, said the Bolton blaze raised questions about cladding on buildings that are not classed as high rises.

Architect Gordon Gibb, who has been highly critical of the fire precautions and management decisions taken in the course of the repair and restoration work to the Glasgow School of Art building before the two fires, welcomed the initiative.

He said: “It must be remembered that in each of these incidents at the art school people could have died.

“In the remaining buildings there are still materials which constitute a fire hazard.

“It will be good to see all these removed and all buildings made safe, for the sake of students, staff and the public.”