Fire-risk flats see evacuated residents return

Anne Eason, who has been living in hotels for two weeks, says she feels "relief" but concern for her neighbours on the upper floors

A large number of residents forced to evacuate their apartment block over dangerous cladding and fire safety risk two weeks ago are returning home.

Sixty people, including eight children, were told to leave the Barbourne Works, Worcester on 4 June, after fire inspectors raised a safety alert.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS), which placed the building under a prohibition notice, said it was now safe for the ground and first floors to be reoccupied.

However FirstPort, the building's managing agent, said the second and third floors still did not meet the required standards for fire escape, and work was continuing.

Sixty residents in 46 flats were evacuated after the apartment block was found to have fire safety risks

The evacuation took place after fire inspectors found problems that dated back to when the former factory was converted to flats 20 years ago.

Anne Eason, who spent the two weeks in hotels, told the BBC: "I'm really happy, I'm happy to be back.

"I just want a glass of wine and some popcorn and to watch Netflix."

However, she said there were "so many questions to be answered about how we got here", claiming, for example, it took a long time for FirstPoint to get the cladding surveyed.

"It's a partial relief really, but I can't forget that there are two floors that haven't got access, so I feel really lucky," Ms Eason added.

FirstPort said it was pleased to "welcome residents of the ground and first floors back home".

"We sincerely thank them for their patience and support over the last two weeks whilst we've works through this complex situation," a spokesperson said.

'Risk was so severe'

The firm said it had taken a central role in co-ordinating a response to the safety alert, which involved working with stakeholders including Homes England, the fire service, the building's freeholder and council.

"Unfortunately, for residents of the second and third floors the prohibition notice remains in place, as these units currently do not meet the required standards for fire escape," the spokesperson added.

Work is continuing to implement safety measures so the upper floors could be re-occupied "as soon as possible".

Inspectors found dangers "so significant and the risk to residents was so severe" that the notice was issued and residents had to leave the 46 flats.

The 19th Century building, which has an internal courtyard, is a former printing plant that was later used as a depot by a clothes manufacturer

Some residents told the BBC they were shocked, had "absolutely no warning" and had to quickly leave their homes.

Forty-seven people went to stay with family and friends and 13 went to a rest centre before being put up in hotels, the fire service said previously.

Ms Eason said the fire service "had been brilliant" and had installed smoke alarms and heat sensors around her flat and checked windows.

After hotel life, she said she was really looking forward to sleeping in her own bed, eating homecooked food and doing her washing.

"But you feel sort of guilty because others can't get in and that's the shame of it - that we couldn't all come back at the same time," she said.

"And that's why it's important that we still keep supporting each other."