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Housing Executive carries out tower block safety checks after London tragedy

Firefighters spray water after a fire engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in west London.
Firefighters spray water after a fire engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in west London. Firefighters spray water after a fire engulfed the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in west London.

THE Northern Ireland Housing Executive is carrying out urgent inspections of all social housing tower blocks following the Grenfall tragedy in London.

Last night 12 people hadbeen confirmed dead with that figure expected to rise further after a fire engulfed a 24-storey tower block in Kensington in the early hours of yesterday morning.

An investigation is ongoing to establish how the blaze spread so quickly throughout the recently refurbished tower block, leaving many residents trapped in the inferno.

A spokesperson for the Housing Executive said yesterday while thoughts were with the "victims, their families and all those affected" they also wanted to reassure tenants locally "that their safety is taken extremely seriously".

Safety experts were at tower blocks in the New Lodge in north Belfast yesterday carrying out checks on the buildings, checks were also carried out at other high rise executive properties across the north.

"We have robust fire safety regimes and carry out regular inspections in all of our 32 tower blocks" an executive spokesperson said.

"In light of the fire in Grenfell, we are undertaking health and safety inspections of each block.

"We are currently refurbishing three tower blocks in Belfast and completed one last year.

"We want to reassure tenants that any cladding systems which have been installed or are being installed are required to comply with the relevant fire safety regulations.

"Kensington and Chelsea Council has confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the fire will be undertaken. We will of course take on board any relevant findings that come out of this investigation", the spokesperson added.

In light of the tragedy Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) also issued safety guidance for people living in high rise accommodation saying "fires of this scale are extremely rare".

"We carry out regular visits to high-rise buildings in across Northern Ireland and our firefighters are routinely involved in training exercises to respond to incidents in these types of buildings", a spokesperson said.

"High-rise buildings are designed to resist fire, stop the spread of smoke and provide a safe means of escape. Your building's fire policy may dictate that you remain in your flat during an incident unless you are directly affected by the fire.

"Make an escape plan so that you and your family are fully prepared if there is a fire in your flat.

"Tell your family what the escape plan is, and where the door key is. Practice what you would do if you had a real fire".

The NIFR added that residents should ring 999 and "not use lifts in the event of emergency", if trapped in a flat they advise residents "use towels or bedding at the bottom of doors to block the smoke and hang a towel or similar item out of the window to let firefighters know your location".

If concerned about fire safety or the safety of a elderly family member NIFRS prevention and protection department can be contacted on 028 9266422.