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Councillor’s demand for action after fires in Lochee multis

Tom Ferguson says residents have to feel safe in their homes.
Tom Ferguson says residents have to feel safe in their homes.

A Dundee councillor has demanded a full report of incidents after a spate of fires in multi-storey blocks in his ward.

Tom Ferguson said questions needed to be asked over the security of the Whorterbank blocks following the latest in a string of blazes.

The most recent raged for four hours at Burnside Court on Wednesday night when residents were evacuated by firefighters.

Crew members said there had been multiple seats of fires in the bin chutes.

The blocks underwent an extensive refurbishment, with new kitchen and bathrooms installed and a new district heating system and external insulation.

Mr Ferguson said: “After all these millions of pounds invested in them does the security still need work for the safety of the tenants?

“Both of the multis at Whorterbank are sheltered accommodation and this isn’t the first time we’ve had so many fires in the bin chutes.

“There’s something lacking and we have no control over the spread of the smoke. Smoke is the deadly enemy in multis and must be contained at all costs.

“I have had complaints that not all doors can close completely. I have forwarded this to Gordon Birrell, senior manager in housing, and I await a methodology statement.

“I’m also now asking for a report on all of these incidents in the multis. Although they are looking good they must be safe to live in. We need to get a methodology to tackle this.”

Mr Ferguson said he had spoken to some tenants who said they did not feel safe in their own home.

Dundee City Council housing convener John Alexander said: “Housing officers are working closely with Police Scotland, community safety wardens and the Scottish Fire Service to consider a number of possible responses to this issue.

“We take the issue very seriously and will be taking a proactive and robust approach in order to deal with the causes of this type of incident.

“It is essential that we work to increase awareness, including working with tenants to deliver a long-term solution.”

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s station manager Fraser Scott urged multis tenants to dispose of their rubbish correctly to prevent future fires.

Many of the fires have had seats in bin chutes and recesses.

He said: “When you’re putting rubbish into the bin chutes make sure it will fall down to the bottom and not compact at the tip.

“The fact that they’re built in concrete sections and blocks means the tenants are actually quite safe in their properties but with bin chutes going from the bottom to the top the smoke percolates up the chute and into the landings.”

He said the safest place for tenants to be in the event of a fire is in their homes where they can shut the door, open the window and wait for the fire brigade.

“There have been a number of fires within Ancrum Court and the Burnside Court area,” he said.

“We’ve done leaflet drops this week advising them of the home fire safety visits we offer and how to dispose of their rubbish properly. The local risk manager for the area will liaise with the police and the housing authorities as well to make sure we have all the necessary procedures in place.”