Fire safety warning forces 150 tenants to leave Sunderland flats

BBC News

21-05-2025

More than 150 residents have been evacuated from a block of flats after a fire safety warning. The fire service issued a prohibition notice after a loss of power and water hit the Horizon Building in Borough Road in Sunderland city centre on Tuesday.The city council said it had set up a reception centre at the nearby Raich Carter Leisure Centre in Hendon for tenants with nowhere to stay. Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFS) said it had no choice but to issue the order after "a loss of essential fire safety systems".
Power in the privately owned building went off last week, but tenants were allowed to stay after a temporary supply kicked in and fire alarm systems were working, the city council said. However, the total blackout on Tuesday meant all residents had to leave while "remedial work" was carried out.
The city council said it was working closely with TWFRS and Northumbria Police, as well as having talks with the building's managers. It also said that it had also served a legal notice on the building's management after last week's blackout, urging them to make sure measures to restore power more quickly in future were in place.A TWFS spokesperson said: "Prohibition notices are only issued when there are immediate concerns around the safety of residents, in the event of a fire at the building."Responsible persons for high-rise premises have a legal duty to ensure their buildings are compliant with fire safety legislation. "We understand the disruption this causes for residents and we do not take this action lightly."The council said many tenants were staying with friends and family, but the reception centre could provide the "basics" to make people as comfortable as possible.
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