This is everything a housing association has said after residents and councillors slammed them for their management of a block of flats that caught fire.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Sandell Place in Amesbury at approximately 7.09pm on Friday, June 9. 

The fire service said the three-storey building was “well-alight on arrival” and all residents were evacuated, with Amesbury Baptist Centre providing food and shelter.

A number of families have lost their homes, with all 16 flats in the block affected. Residents have now been forced to live in temporary accommodation or with family and friends. 

READ MORE: 'I'm traumatised': Amesbury residents share horror of losing their homes in fire

SEE MORE: Fundraiser launched to help families who lost homes in Amesbury blaze

 

Following the blaze, residents shared concerns with the Salisbury Journal about leaking roofs, black mould and piling rubbish. 

This is what their housing provider Stonewater has said in response. 

Dave Lockerman, director of housing operations at Stonewater, said: "Thankfully, everyone is safe and no one was hurt. We’re grateful for the quick response from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service and will be assisting them with their enquiries as they investigate the cause of the fire.

“The building’s last fire safety check was carried out six months ago. All inspection requirements and certification are up to date. Sandell Place has a ‘stay put, if safe’ fire safety strategy.

"As is usual with this approach, there is no communal system but rather smoke vents, fire doors and also individual smoke detection alarms within each flat. The building has been designed to contain the spread of fire and those design elements appear to have worked as they should. Fire instructions are displayed on the ground floor of the building and all residents are advised of the required procedures at the start of their tenancy.

“As soon as we were aware of the fire, we followed established protocol in liaising directly with the council’s emergency planning team. Our priority was to contact residents, which we did. We had colleagues on site very quickly, making sure everyone had somewhere to go and offering immediate practical help. Fourteen colleagues worked on this over the course of the weekend.

“As well as arranging alternative accommodation, we’re supporting residents with cash payments, vouchers and personal assessments so we can best respond to their individual needs. We’re meeting with people on a regular basis and working to get them back into their homes as soon as practically possible. As a social landlord, we’ve gone above and beyond our statutory duty and are providing far more support to residents than a private landlord or insurer might.

“We’re also very grateful for the support shown by the local community, council and other agencies. We need to let the fire service do their job in investigating the detail of what happened and we will, of course, implement any recommendations or actions required.

“We understand this has been a frightening experience for residents which may have highlighted other concerns. We conduct regular estate inspections and have no outstanding complaints relating to fire safety on our system, but want everyone to feel safe and happy in their homes so will look into any points raised as a matter of priority.”"