Neighbours of a block of fire-ravaged Brighton flats will not be able to return to their homes for weeks while their landlord puts in extra safety measures at the request of the fire service.
People living in ten homes in the block next to the one which caught alight on Friday, September 20 were also evacuated that night.
While the main block of 12 flats is likely to be demolished, people living in the two neighbouring blocks have also been told they cannot return until extra fire safety measures have been put in place.
And Brighton and Hove News understands Guinness Partnership, which owns the site, is now checking all its properties across England to make sure they are safe.
A spokeswoman for Guinness Partnership said: “We are committed to doing all we can to help our residents during this extremely difficult time and for as long as they need it.
“We have secured temporary accommodation for all our residents who want it and ensured they have any day to day necessities.
“We are carrying out works to the neighbouring building, as agreed with the fire service. We are committed to getting residents back into their homes as soon as possible.
“The works are to put in place extra fire safety measures. We have engaged a contractor to undertake the works and expect them to be completed this month.
“We are waiting advice from our Structural Engineers and Loss Adjusters regarding the long term future of the damaged block where the fire started.
“We do not yet know whether the block will need to be demolished.”
At the time of publication The Guinness Partnership had not responded to requests for more information about what fire safety measures were being put in place.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it would not elaborate on what the measures are, although it did confirm that no formal action had been taken.
A spokeswoman said: “It is not our policy to confirm if informal action has taken place as it could potentially be part of later legal action.
“We are still investigating the fire and will update when we can.”
It is expected the investigation into the fire’s cause and spread will take a significant amount of time.
The CEO is incompetent with no interest in anything but money and needs to resign over this, it’s clear the buildings weren’t built to standard but were signed off. Disgraceful abuse of cost cutting, cutting corners and now look, it was pure luck no one died – questions should be raised on the rest of their properties – I wouldn’t feel safe living in one!
Get rid!
Who is footing the bill? hope Guinness Partnership
Firewalls?
We at the curve on Carlton Hill had our fire alarm deactivated by the G, partnership. Been like that for 2 years now. Apparently on advice from London fire brigade. The G, partnership needs bringing to book. It’s all about saving money. Sussex fire and rescue, or reporters, come and look for yourselves. Post code is bn20gx
We at the curve on Carlton Hill had our fire alarm deactivated by the G partnership 2 years ago on advice from London fire brigade apparently. It’s all about saving money, we’ve complained about it but they don’t care. East Sussex fire and it reporters. Come look for yourselves. Bn20gx