Liverpool fire: Lack of contact from owners 'really disappointing'

Dozens of firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control after it broke out on Saturday

A resident living near the scene of a major building fire has said its owners' response since the blaze has been "really disappointing".

The blaze at an incomplete apartment block on Fox Street in Liverpool on Saturday sent thick black smoke billowing over the city.

Neighbouring flats suffered damage, but resident Chris Burridge said its owners SGL1 Ltd had not been in touch.

The firm declined to comment on the claims.

Mr Burridge, who rents a flat in a neighbouring block, said the heat had warped the cladding on his building and cracked or shattered glass in its windows.

The 53-year-old said it was "really disappointing" there had been no contact from Altrincham-based SGL1 Ltd.

"You would have thought that there would be some care [or] that they would reach out just to make sure everyone was okay," he said.

"We have just had to take care of most of it ourselves."

Chris Burridge said people in nearby flats had heard nothing from the owner of the site

Everton ward councillor Jane Corbett, who previously said the site had "a very long chequered history", said she had complained to Liverpool City Council about the level of security around the building site before the fire broke out.

She said rough sleepers, children, drug dealers and drug users had often been able to get through broken or missing hoardings.

"I was constantly having to get on to the council to say, 'Look we need to put pressure on [the owners] to actually sort it out'," she said.

SGL1 Ltd's directors, Kieran Moore and Darren McClellan, visited the site on Wednesday to inspect the damage.

They declined to be interviewed by the BBC, but told BBC North West Tonight there had been security at the site.

They added that they would make a full statement in the coming days.

An investigation into the fire which was launched by Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in the aftermath of the blaze has not yet been able to establish the cause.