High-rise Angus council tenants have been issued fire safety advice in the wake of the Grenfell Tower blaze.
The deadliest fire in mainland Britain since the start of the 20th Century reduced the 24-storey block to ashes on June 14 and claimed the lives of at least 80 people.
Angus Council maintains a number of properties in Arbroath and Forfar at five floors, and tenants have been sent a leaflet from the fire service and local authority, telling them what to do in the event of a fire in high-rises.
And fire crews will have an “increased presence” in blocks of flats over the next few weeks.
The move follows an investigation that revealed controversial cladding — which is believed to have played a part in the spread of fire in London — is present in “very small areas” of two Angus primary schools, Timmergreens and Warddykes.
Arbroath councillor Brenda Durno said: “I welcome the fact that a joint letter is being sent to tenants in five-storey blocks from Angus Council.
“It includes a multi-storey information leaflet from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service that tells residents what to do in the unlikely event of a fire.”
Station manager Graeme Hay and community housing team manager Gordon Nicol addressed tenants: “Following the tragic events at Grenfell Tower in London our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.
“While the block of flats that you live in is not the same height or constructed from the same materials as Grenfell Tower, I understand that you may be concerned and I want to reassure you that the safety of our tenants is our priority.
“Please be assured that insulation materials used in the refurbishment of our properties in Angus meet the highest safety standards.
“Angus Council’s refurbishment works are subject to detailed inspection and approval by the council’s building standards team, and all of the council’s five-storey blocks have a hard-wired smoke detector in each flat with battery backup, all five-storey flats are fitted with front fire doors, all landing fire doors are checked on a regular basis to ensure that they meet the stops fully on closing, and any doors found to be wedged open are closed.
“Blocks are inspected regularly to ensure any combustible materials and hazards are removed from communal areas.”
