The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) is planning to visit all Sunderland’s high-rise blocks to put residents’ minds at rest following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. 

The service stresses that compliance with fire safety regulations is high across Tyne and Wear, but fire crews will pay visits to all residential buildings of more than six storeys to put this message across to any residents who might be worried.

After the Grenfell Tower blaze, in which at least 80 people died due to a fire spreading rapidly through flammable outer cladding, questions have been asked about fire safety in tower blocks all across the country.

Around 650 households have been evacuated from high-rise blocks in Camden, North London, so that essential fire safety work can be carried out.

Tower blocks have also failed safety tests in a number of other locations such as Plymouth, Manchester and Hounslow.  

On July 3rd, the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service visited six Sunderland tower blocks, including Amble Tower and Aberdeen Tower in Amsterdam Road and Planet House in West Street. 

The service visited more blocks yesterday, including Aden Tower, Australia Tower and Aldenham Tower on Aldenham Road. 

A number of tower blocks will be visited today, including West Street’s Astral House and Solar House. Thursday and Friday will see the TWFRS visiting yet more Sunderland tower blocks.

182 high-rise blocks in Tyne and Wear will be visited in total. The crews will also be checking fire doors and internal hoses and updating their records.

The assistant chief officer of the TWFRS, Alan Robson, said, “Following the terrible fire in Grenfell Tower, many residents in high-rise homes have been concerned about fire safety in their buildings.”

“The level of fire safety compliance in high-rise dwellings across Tyne and Wear is very high.”

“But we know that some residents have been unsettled by recent events, and we are here to provide them with the reassurance they need.”

“Since the tragedy, we have been working with local authorities and other housing providers to support their fire safety responsibilities, as well as providing reassurance and fire safety information to residents.”    

(Featured image courtesy of Colin, from Flickr Creative Commons)


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