RESIDENTS of a block of flats in Winchester have raised concerns about fire safety measures after a blaze in the bin block last weekend didn’t set off their fire alarm.
On Saturday (May 14) at 10.32pm, Alresford and St Mary’s crews were called to a bin fire within a ground-floor bin store at a block of flats on Woolford Close.
The fire was extinguished using one hose reel jet before ventilation fans were used to clear smoke.
Residents of the council-run building have said that a disposable BBQ disposed of before being extinguished was the cause of the blaze.
Speaking previously to the Chronicle, one resident said: "It is very concerning to us as residents of the flats with a young child. If we had not been awake and hadn't seen the smoke the fire could easily have spread.”
READ MORE: Firefighters tackle bin blaze at block of flats in Winchester
Now, the resident’s partner, who also did not want to be named, has called on the council to improve fire safety measures in the building.
The resident said that, despite the smoke travelling all the way up to her property on the top floor, only the fire alarm in the flat directly above the bin store was activated.
She added that there is no alarm system in the stairwell or in the bin store, and that she is unaware of any emergency lighting.
“It is massively concerning, especially as we are third floor. If there was ever a major fire on the stairwell it wouldn't necessarily set off our flat's smoke alarm due to the fire doors and if visibility was compromised we would struggle with our young child in particular,” she said.
Addressing the concerns, a spokesperson for Winchester City Council said: “The council is aware of the fire in the bin shed at Woolford Close. Our housing team will be carrying out a joint visit, along with Hampshire & IOW Fire Rescue Services, to establish the cause and the circumstances surrounding the fire.
“Once we have all the information, we will work with HIWFRS and review the existing fire measures to see if any changes are needed going forward.”
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