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Housing association reviewing fencing safety following fire
A housing association is reviewing the safety of fencing on one of its estates after the panels helped a recent fire spread between homes.
Nine houses owned by Together Housing on the Whitebirk Estate in Blackburn were damaged after a blaze broke out on the afternoon of 25 April, with some badly burned.
Eight fire engines were needed to bring the fire under control.
Only two of the homes remain habitable, with the seven other affected households staying with relatives, in hotels or council-provided emergency accommodation.
Four households have already accepted a move to other Together-owned homes in Blackburn.
A fire service investigation later found that the fire was started accidentally by discarded hot barbecue coals and that it spread rapidly to neighbouring homes along composite fence panels.
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The 37,000-home landlord has subsequently undertaken a “detailed review” of fencing on the Whitebirk Estate, with a promise to update residents with an action plan on the issue by 14 May.
A spokesperson for Together said: “Once we were made aware of the findings of the fire service investigation, we launched a detailed review of fencing on the Whitebirk Estate.
“This was communicated to residents on the estate in a hand delivered letter on Friday 30 April.
“We have committed to responding to our residents by Friday 14 May with a plan of how we tackle the fencing issue.
“In the meantime, we continue to provide support to the residents affected and liaise closely with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.”
In the letter, shared with Inside Housing, Ian Clark, group director of strategy, communications and communities at Together, wrote: “While we were relieved that no one was seriously injured we know that many of you have been affected by witnessing the fire and the damage it caused.”
“We know that some residents now have concerns over the fencing on the Whitebirk Estate, and we are taking this very seriously,” the letter added.
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