Grenfell Tower fire: Mayor Philip Glanville seeks to reassure residents living in Hackney blocks

Grenfell Tower fire. Photograph: Grenfell Action Group

Following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower near Notting Hill in which twelve people have been confirmed dead so far, the Hackney Citizen quizzed the council earlier today about its own fire safety checks on the borough’s residential tower blocks.

The Citizen asked what Mayor Philip Glanville is doing to ensure that Hackney Council fulfils its obligations under the Regulatory Reform Act 2005 on Fire Safety with particular regard to high-rise blocks.

In a joint statement, Mayor Philip Glanville and Cllr Clayeon McKenzie, the cabinet member for housing, said: “No one can fail to be moved watching the coverage today of the terrible fire in Kensington.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with those affected by the tragedy at Grenfell Tower and we want to highlight the bravery of residents and the emergency services, often at considerable risk to themselves, who rushed to help during the early hours of the morning.

“We have also seen ordinary Londoners rally to help those families who have lost everything in this awful fire.

“While it’s too early to comment on possible causes of the fire, we understand that residents are concerned and we want to reassure residents in Hackney that fire safety is of critical importance to us, the council meets regularly with the London Fire Brigade to ensure we’re doing all we can to keep our estates and residents safe.

“We also work with the independent fire advisory services rigorously test and challenge our existing arrangements.

“All of our buildings have an up-to-date fire risk assessment. Any priority work needed following these assessments has been done and we continue to monitor fire safety through estate inspections and our estates officers.

“We have invested significantly in the last five years to upgrade lighting and fire alarms in communal areas, hard wire smoke alarms in properties and those in communal areas while upgrading all our stock to ensure that it meets fire regulations.

“Despite this we cannot afford to be complacent, and will apply any lessons learned or recommendations arising from this terrible accident.

“The London Fire Brigade’s advice currently remains unchanged – for more information visit the London Fire Brigade website. Residents can also play their part by making sure fire exits are kept clear and ensuring that fire doors are kept closed. We also encourage residents to report any faulty fire doors or fire safety equipment immediately to the contact centre on 020 8356 3330 / 4440 so the Council can take action.”

Outlining the fire safety precautions are in place on Hackney’s estates, in a statement the council said: “As a matter of routine, we meet regularly with the London Fire Brigade to discuss fire risk assessments and other matters to ensure we are doing all we can to keep our estates safe.

“We also work with the independent fire advisory services to rigorously test and challenge our existing arrangements. We continue to monitor fire safety through estate inspections and the vigilance of our estate-based staff.”

The Citizen also requested the most recent dates on which each of the council’s tower blocks of six storeys and above were fire safety assessed, and in its statement the council said: “All of our blocks are subject to individual fire risk assessments – all of which are up-to-date – which are agreed with the London Fire Brigade. The assessment schedules vary in accordance with that level of risk.

“All of our buildings have an up to date fire risk assessment. Any priority work needed following these assessments has been done and we continue to monitor fire safety through estate inspections and our estates officers. In addition, all buildings have up to date certification for dry riser testing and electronic certificates- these are assessed twice yearly with one test and one visual inspection.”

Questioned about whether aluminium cladding or panelling similar to that at Grenfell Tower had been used in any of the council’s refurbishments of residential blocks, the council said: “At the moment it is too early to say, as we don’t know the detail of the cladding used at Grenfell Tower – or if that played a part in this tragedy.

“All of the cladding used on Hackney buildings is subject to rigorous safety checks but, we are of course inspecting them to allow to give greater reassurance to residents.”

The Citizen also quizzed Town Hall chiefs as to what instructions are given to residents of tower blocks regarding what they should do in the event of fire. The council said: “At the moment the London Fire Brigade’s advice about what to do in the case of a fire in a block of flats remains unchanged. More information is available on the London Fire Brigade website.”

Back in 2009, Frampton Park Estate residents living in tower blocks at high risk from fire described dangerous conditions and their fear that officials were putting value for money before their safety.

Six years later, Hackney announced that a pioneering fire sprinkler system was set to benefit 258 social housing residents on the Frampton Park Estate, helping to save lives in the event of a fire.

At the time, Philip Glanville, the then cabinet member for housing, said: “Hackney … places the risk of fire and the safety and welfare of all residents as highest priority. Hackney is once again at the forefront of resident safety with this fire sprinkler system, providing residents with an extra layer of safety in case the worst should happen.”