Tower block fire drama treated as suspected arson
A fire damaged a lobby and sent smoke up several floors of a Birmingham tower block, leaving residents fearing a repeat of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The blaze is being treated as suspected arson and are police are investigating.
The fire started at around 11.25am on Saturday in the communal lobby area of the 22nd floor of the 32-storey Cleveland Tower in Holloway Head.
Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters were sent to the scene, from Ladywood, Bournbrook and Highgate stations.
The first firefighters arrived at the scene, in the city near Holloway Circus, within four and a half minutes.
Around 750 people live in the residential block and it is thought up to 40 people left the building as the fire took hold.
The blaze caused concern coming soon after the devastating Grenfell Tower fire in London which is thought to have killed at least 80 people.
No-one was injured in the blaze. The cause of the fire has yet to emerge.
Area Commander Ben Brook, of West Midlands Fire Service, said: “Following the Grenfell Tower fire in London last month, today’s incident was understandably shocking for everyone concerned.
"I can confirm that there was no cladding on the structure.
“Some 30 to 40 people decided to leave the building, although this was from areas not affected by fire or smoke.
“The building’s design, which includes compartmentalisation of individual flats, performed as expected.
“Damage caused by the fire was confined to the lobby area, although smoke affected the building from the 15th floor to the top of the building.
“We are working closely with West Midlands Police and liaising with Birmingham City Council.”
Mr Brook added: “Our firefighters will be carrying our Safe and Well checks for residents of Cleveland Tower and providing reassurance.
“I would urge all residents of high-rise blocks, in the West Midlands and across the country, to make themselves aware of the evacuation procedure that applies in their building. This should be communicated by the landlord.
“It is also important that lobbies, stairwells and communal areas are kept free of clutter and combustible materials.
“Residents of high-rise properties are not at greater risk of a fire starting, but we should all take fire safety precautions, starting with fitting smoke alarms in our own homes and testing them weekly.
“I urge everyone living in tower blocks to have a plan of what to do should a fire start in their own flat or elsewhere in the building.”
