Eleven high-rise buildings fitted with
combustible cladding have failed fire safety checks the
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed.
The eleven effected buildings are situated in eight local
authority areas. The news follows Prime Minister, Theresa May’s
announcement that tests are being undertaken on around 600 high
rises across England to check if the cladding is safe.
The cladding on the outside of Grenfell Tower is thought to have
played a significant role in the speed of which the fire
engulfed the building resulting in at least 79 people losing
their lives.
Mrs May told Parliament that local authorities and fire services
were “taking all possible steps” to ensure the towers are safe
as 100 high-rise buildings are being tested a day.
She said: “The House should of course be careful in speculating
on what caused this fire but as a precaution the government has
arranged to test cladding in all relevant tower blocks.
“Shortly before I came to this chamber I was informed that a
number of these tests have come back as combustible. The
relevant local authorities and fire authorities have been
informed and as I speak they are taking all possible steps to
ensure the buildings are safe and to inform affected residents.
“Landlords have a legal obligation to provide safe buildings.
And if they cannot do that, we expect alternative accommodation
to be provided. We cannot and will not expect people to live in
unsafe homes.”