Ten Great Harwood flats evacuated due to ‘serious’ fire risk

An inspection carried out by Hyndburn Council and Lancashire Fire and Rescue service at The Residence in Great Harwood found the occupants of the flats to be at ‘imminent risk of serious harm’.

Authorities have stressed the checks are not related to those carried out due to the fire at Grenfell Tower and are not cladding related.

Residents from the flats have left the premises and are staying with friends or in temporary accommodation arranged by the council.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, said: "Unfortunately a number of fire safety breaches were identified which were of such a serious nature that the occupiers of the residential flats were deemed to be at imminent risk of serious harm to their health and safety in the event of a fire.

“The council and the fire service therefore determined that the only course of action was to serve an Emergency Prohibition Order.

“The flats will now remain closed whilst the council and the fire service work with the owner to make sure the works are carried out.”

The council said its housing advice team is working closely with all residents to ‘help them through this difficult time’ and offer advice and support.

The Glebe Street building is privately owned and made up of 10 residential flats and three commercial units.

The checks were made to comply with the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory reform (Fire Safety) order 2005.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have said the commercial parts of the building will ‘remain open and operative’ while safety work is carried out on the flats.

John Taylor, a spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said: “The first thing we would like to point out is that this is nothing to do with the cladding and the recent tragedy at Grenfell Tower. It is coincidental.

“It’s to do with the emergency provisions inside such as the fire doors.”

Contact www.lancsbusinessplus.org.uk for free fire and safety guidance for landlords or businesses.