Firefighters are battling a huge blaze at the New Providence Wharf development near Canary Wharf.
The cladding used within this development, AMC Cladding, is the same type used on Grenfell Tower.
What are Fire Safety Experts Saying?
It is harrowing news to hear that there has been another high-rise development set ablaze due to poor quality cladding.
Under usual circumstances, the procedure for these types of fires is a ‘stay put’ strategy, whereby the onus rests on each flat to contain any fire for at least one hour and ensures the residents are secure in their own apartments.
Unfortunately, this unsafe cladding only amplifies the potential dangers from fire for these high rises – meaning that a ‘stay put’ strategy must be thrown out the window in favour of immediate evacuation.
This means a carefully planned escape is not possible, and evacuation is far more rushed with less chance to identify risks for potential exit points.
I sincerely hope no one is injured in this, but it only strengthens the need for getting rid of this type of cladding – which is clearly an incredibly dangerous material that has massive potential to cost people their lives.
Stacey Adams, Fire Safety Expert & Market Development Manager at Apollo Fire.
