Worcester Barbourne Works lower-floor residents allowed home
A large number of residents forced to evacuate their apartment block over dangerous cladding and fire safety risk nearly two weeks ago are set to return home.Sixty people, including eight children, were told to leave the Barbourne Works in Worcester on 4 June, after fire inspectors raised a safety alert.Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS), which placed the building under a prohibition notice, said it was now safe for the ground and first floors to be reoccupied.However FirstPort, the building's management agent, said the second and third floors still did not meet the required standards for fire escape, and work was continuing.
The evacuation took place after fire inspectors found problems that dated back to when the former factory was converted to flats 20 years ago. "[But] we are pleased to be able to welcome residents of the ground and first floors back home and we sincerely thank them for their patience and support over the last two weeks whilst we've works through this complex situation," a FirstPort spokesperson said.
'Risk was so severe'
The firm had taken a central role in co-ordinating a response to the safety alert, which involved working with stakeholders including Homes England, the fire service, the building's freeholder and council. "Unfortunately, for residents of the second and third floors the prohibition notice remains in place, as these units currently do not meet the required standards for fire escape," the spokesperson added. Work is continuing to implement safety measures so the upper floors could be re-occupied "as soon as possible". Inspectors found dangers "so significant and the risk to residents was so severe" that the notice was issued and residents had to leave the 46 flats.
Some residents told the BBC they were shocked, had "absolutely no warning" and had to quickly leave their homes. Forty-seven people went to stay with family and friends and 13 went to a rest centre before being put up in hotels, fire service group commander Simon Cusack said previously.
Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Single ticket holder wins massive £208MILLION jackpot - the biggest EuroMillions prize to date
A single ticket holder has won a massive £208million jackpot, making it the biggest EuroMillions prize to date. The winning numbers for tonight's National Lottery were: 13, 22, 23, 44, 49 and the Lucky Stars are: 03, 05.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Peacocks terrorising village renowned for its Spitfire pilots history
Residents of a village famous for its Spitfire pilot training history have claimed that peacocks are attacking their cars. Hibaldstow, in North Lincolnshire, has found itself menaced by nearly 30 peacocks, with cars being attacked after some birds attempted to fight their reflection in the paint or polished bumpers. Gardens and graves have been damaged, while residents have complained that the birds make loud noises at anti-social times. RAF Hibaldstow, where many Second World War Spitfire pilots trained, closed in 1947 but the long runways are intact and the airfield is used by police as a skidpan, model plane enthusiasts and a skydiving business. Last June, the North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre reopened there after a refurbishment, where visitors can explore the airfield command bunker, see military vehicles up close and join guided tours. The peacocks have been a part of village life since the 1960s, but now some residents are concerned about the increasing population. Les Gladwell, 75, a former shopkeeper in the village, recently opened his curtains and counted 18 peacocks in his garden. He said: 'They have absolutely ruined the garden, eating everything in sight, and they also attack my car. 'Because it's dark-coloured, the male birds see their own reflections in it and attack themselves. The pecking and scratching has caused a lot of damage. 'I often look out and see them surrounding the car with a couple sitting on top of it. I have to bang on the window with my shoes to scare them off. 'They are beautiful birds, and it's nice to see them strutting around the village for some, but it's become too much.' Sarah Filby said she kept a close eye on her five-year-old son when he went into the garden to play football. She said: 'When he was two, he found himself cornered by a peahen with chicks. They become very territorial and can be aggressive, so it was really worrying to see him trapped by them. 'I went out and managed to steer them away from him, and now he's a little bigger he's learning how to handle them himself. 'He goes out with his arms held wide and will usually manage to shoo them away, but I have to keep an eye on him and make sure he's safe. 'The numbers seem to have been growing year on year, and there's no doubt they can be a problem. 'They block the main road and drivers don't know what to do. They beep their horns at them, which just causes the peacocks to stand their ground and squawk back at the cars. 'We've had them wander into the house before, which was interesting. It's not easy to persuade a peacock they need to leave. 'I've spoken to environmental health about them, but they say they're wild birds, just like pigeons. I had to point out that they are definitely not just like pigeons.' David Stothard, a parish councillor, said could see the problems but did not think Hibaldstow would ever get rid of the birds. He said: 'There was a meeting in the village hall to discuss the issue, with one lady suggesting we needed to reduce the numbers, and it was attended by about 60 people. 'The conclusion was that the peacocks would be staying but she was welcome to move on if she wanted to.'
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Weymouth M&S store evacuated following CO2 leak
Customers in an M&S store were evacuated from the building following a carbon dioxide (CO2) and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said crews were called to reports of a "gas incident" on St Mary's Street in Weymouth shortly before 16:30 said a refrigeration unit was found to be leaking CO2. The gas supply was successfully isolated and no-one was posted on the Weymouth and Portland News and Views group describing having to leave the M&S store quickly after a loud noise. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
