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BBC News
21-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Sunderland Horizon tenants allowed home after power restored
About 150 residents forced to leave a tower block over fire safety fears have been allowed to return home.A prohibition notice was issued on 20 May after a loss of power and water hit the Horizon building, in Borough Road, Sunderland city Realty Management, which rents out the flats in the privately-owned building, said it had worked "day and night" to resolve an electrical problem and that it had previously been told it would have to wait 16 weeks for a part to fix the and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFS) said there was "no longer an imminent risk to life" and it was continuing to work with "partner agencies to address any residual fire safety issues". TWFS said it had issued the original notice after "a loss of essential fire safety systems".A spokesman for UK Realty Management said: "As management, along with the help of the freeholder, we were trying day and night to find alternatives as a 16-week wait was unviable."He also said that repeated attempts by an electrician to resolve the issue had failed."We are thankful to the council and fire authority for all their ongoing support and help."At the same time, I would also like to confirm that management and the freeholder did everything over and above to make it happen in less than a week when it was presumed to be 16 weeks," the spokesman added."Currently the building is fully occupied with all compliances met."Sunderland City Council had set up a reception centre at the nearby Raich Carter Leisure Centre in Hendon for tenants with nowhere to stay.A spokesperson said: "We did offer housing advice and assistance to all displaced tenants who contacted us throughout the period Horizon was closed to ensure that nobody was left without accommodation." Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Charities aiding tenants forced to leave Sunderland flats
Volunteer workers have been drafted in to help dozens of residents sleeping on a leisure centre floor after being evacuated from a block of flats. 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 city council set up a reception centre at the nearby Raich Carter Leisure Centre in Hendon for tenants with nowhere to stay. One 22-year-old tenant, who did not wish to be named, said it was "not ideal" and he wanted answers as to whether he would get back £3,400 he had paid to a letting agency for a one-bed studio flat. He said: "I've been sleeping in my office in Washington and been having to wash using bottled water."It's not ideal and I'm not getting any answers as to whether I will get the money I've paid upfront for six months if we can't go back in."Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFS) said it had no choice in issuing the order after "a loss of essential fire safety systems". The Salvation Army's divisional response co-ordinator for the North East, Major Stephen Slade, said his organisation and workers from the British Red Cross, would be on hand to help residents over the next few days. He said: "We will cope with the number of people who need help and hopefully it won't be for long as they go to friends and family over the next few days. "They are in a difficult position but the local authority is doing all it can to make sure life runs as smoothly as possible. "We are here to help people whatever situation they are in and its a privilege for us to be able to do that." The city council said it was having talks with the building's managers, who rent the flats out through letting agencies. It also said that it had also served a legal notice on managers after another power blackout last week, urging them to make sure measures to restore power more quickly were in 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. 'Not very comfortable' Resident Loges praised the local authority for making sure he had food and water during a "difficult time". The student from India said: "It's been difficult as I'm an international student and don't have connections in the area."I've been sleeping the sports centre and don't know what I'm going to do. The council has provided us with essentials."Serene, also a student, said she was also having to sleep in the leisure centre. "I've been in a sleeping bag on the floor and it's not very comfortable," she said. "I'm going to have to find another place to stay and it will be a huge hassle carrying all my things from the ninth floor." Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Fire safety warning forces 150 tenants to leave Sunderland flats
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 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. Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
