Block residents told to move out over fire risks

People living in a further two apartment blocks at a marina development are being asked to move out of their homes after fire safety concerns were found.

Those living in the Mistral and Sirocco buildings at Admirals Quay, on Southampton’s Ocean Village, are being asked to leave in stages over the next two weeks.

Development firm Barratt Redrow said an issue with the fire protection of the steel frame in the blocks needed to be investigated and fixed.

In February, those living in the 40 flats at Sundowner Court, overlooking the marina, also had to leave.

It was also within hours of getting an evacuation letter from their management firm after fire safety concerns were also found during checks.

There are 114 apartments in Sirocco and 62 in Mistral.

Residents at Sirocco have been asked to move out first by 22 June, and those living in Mistral by 29 June.

Barratt Redrow said a phased move out – rather than immediately – was possible as round-the-clock fire patrols known as a ‘waking watch’ were in place at the buildings.

David Rogers and his wife Stella sold their family home on Tuesday and were decorating their flat when, about two hours later, they got the letter informing them that they would need to leave.

They have owned the flat for many years and Mr Rogers said he was given no indication of any major issues until this week.

“[The Grenfell Tower fire] happened a long time ago now and yet we are still here waiting to find out what’s happened,” he said.

“This could have been done months ago and we probably wouldn’t have sold our family home then.”

Apologising for the disruption, a Barratt Redrow spokesperson said: “We are working closely with the managing agent to support residents and provide alternative accommodation, at no cost to them, and are working hard to ensure the buildings are remediated as quickly as possible.”

It comes after an inspection at neighbouring block, Sundowner Court, found the block’s steel structure was not fireproof.

Engineers who carried out the survey told the building’s management company that, in the event of a serious fire, it would have been in danger of collapse.