Barton House Bristol evacuation: What we know so far

Barton House was declared unsafe by Bristol City Council and an emergency evacuation carried out

It has been more than a month since council tenants were evacuated from their homes after a major incident was declared over the safety of Bristol's oldest tower block.

More than 250 adults and children were asked to leave Barton House on 14 November, because concrete in the building had not been fitted correctly.

The issue had been highlighted in building surveys carried out by Bristol City Council, which owns the building.

The evening turned into chaos as the council decided the risk to residents was unacceptable and began attempting to find places for families to spend the night.

Around 17 households refused to leave, with some saying they could not move their pets or simply did not know where to go.

They chose to stay in a building a structural engineer had said would not withstand any high impact, fire or explosion.

However, the latest report has revealed the safety issues were in fact only actually present in some parts of the building.

The council has now said "essential work" will need to be completed before residents can return.

Here we answer some key questions with what we know so far:

What has happened: Why have residents had to leave their homes?

A structural engineer presented a report on the buildings integrity to Kye Dudd, cabinet member for housing services and energy, on 13 November.

It said three flats out of 98 in Barton House, which was built in 1958, are structurally compromised.

The issue is concrete was not attached properly when the building was built in a way that did not follow design plans.

Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said there is a "lack of structural ties between the floors and the load-bearing external walls".

It also means the building has a "lower fire resistance".

After five high-rise tower block fires in Bristol last year, the council decided it could not delay in evacuating.

Residents were left scrambling to find somewhere to stay

Mr Dudd said the report was "really bad" and he realised the council may need to declare a major incident.

Bristol City Council then had a meeting with Avon Fire and Rescue the next day, where the fire service said it could not guarantee the safety of those in the building from risk of fire.

The service said it supported the council's decision to evacuate, saying it is "appropriate and proportional".

A decision was made on 14 November at 14:00 GMT, that the risk to residents was unacceptably high and the first messages were sent to residents to leave their homes.

The council has since carried out surveys in six flats in Barton House.

Where have all the residents gone?

Residents have been left scattered across Bristol, with friends, families and many in hotels.

The council said 58 households are in hotel accommodation, 11 are staying with friends and family, five flats were found to be unoccupied and 17 remain in the building.

Residents staying at the Holiday Inn in the city centre are being provided with three meals a day.

Seven other households are staying in serviced apartments.

Are people likely to be able to go home soon?

Following the latest report on the structural safety of the building Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said issues were only present in some parts of the building, however "essential work" must be completed before residents can return.

The council said the full extent of the work required and a return date has yet to be determined but some residents can expect to return home sometime in 2024.

Mr Rees further explained officers are still waiting for a final report from contractors that will make recommendations for measures that need to be put in place before anyone can return.

Will residents be allowed to go back inside to get more of their belongings in the meantime?

Access remains in place for residents needing to gather essential items to support their stay in hotels or with friends and family.

But they have been told their household goods have to remain.

People were left queuing to find somewhere to stay on 14 November

Could this affect other tower blocks in Bristol?

Bristol City Council has said Barton House was built in a different way to other tower blocks in the city, so it is not expecting the issue to affect them.

It is worth noting Barton House is the oldest tower block under the council's control too and any modern buildings have very different design and safety regulations.

I'm a resident of Barton House. Where can I get help?

Bristol City Council has set up an emergency webpage for residents.

It said if people cannot stay with friends or family, cannot speak with its Housing team or need additional support and help, they can:

• call 0800 694 0184 (lines open 8:30 to 20:00 GMT)

• visit the council's Citizen Service Point at 100 Temple Street during its normal opening hours (9:00 to 17:00 GMT) or call 0117 922 2050 outside of working hours