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Charging battery might have caused Bristol flats fire | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Most residents of Twinnell House in Bristol had been allowed to return home by Monday | |
A charging battery might have started a fire in a block of flats that left one man dead and eight other people in hospital, a fire service has said. | |
The fire in Twinnell House, Wills Drive, Bristol started in the early hours of Sunday and forced the evacuation of 90 residents. | |
It is believed the man died falling from the flats as he tried to escape. | |
Most residents have now returned home and others have been offered accommodation, the city council said. | Most residents have now returned home and others have been offered accommodation, the city council said. |
Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said he would speak residents, who would no doubt be "feeling a sense of vulnerability". | |
Some residents reported not hearing any fire alarms as the blaze, which fire officers suggested had started accidentally, took hold. | |
The fire began in the early hours of Sunday morning | |
But Avon Fire and Rescue officer Vaughan Jenkins said the systems were all "working as they should". | |
"It was confirmed that it was an accidental fire, but the actual cause will come out as part of the investigation and a report into the outcomes of the fire," Mr Jenkins said. | |
"Bristol City Council has done everything it can to make those buildings across the county as safe as they possibly can be." | "Bristol City Council has done everything it can to make those buildings across the county as safe as they possibly can be." |
'Banged every door' | |
Ninth floor resident Ali Haji, said he did not hear any alarms. | |
"I grabbed my two daughters in each arm. I walked through smashed glass in the hallways to escape the building," he said. | "I grabbed my two daughters in each arm. I walked through smashed glass in the hallways to escape the building," he said. |
"I didn't hear any central alarms system at all. The police officers banged every door and broke down doors if they could to get people out." | "I didn't hear any central alarms system at all. The police officers banged every door and broke down doors if they could to get people out." |
Residents of floors one to 13 have now been allowed to return home, after the fire broke out at about 02:15 BST. | |
Those treated in hospital include one person with minor burns and seven people suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. | |
Three other people were treated by the ambulance service at the scene. | |
Following the fire at Twinnell House in Easton last night, our thoughts remain with the person who lost their life, and their loved ones. We are working with @ASPolice @AvonFireRescue to investigate what happened, and continue to offer support to all residents. | Following the fire at Twinnell House in Easton last night, our thoughts remain with the person who lost their life, and their loved ones. We are working with @ASPolice @AvonFireRescue to investigate what happened, and continue to offer support to all residents. |
Mr Rees said those housed in emergency accommodation would remain there "until we've properly done the work to make sure their flats are properly habitable". | |
He said when the report was published he wanted to take it to people in the affected block of flats as well as neighbouring flats to ensure open communication and transparency. | |
"We are very aware that people going back into their flats will be feeling a sense of vulnerability no matter what we tell them, so transparency is really key. | |
"As an authority we have been incredibly proactive on fire, since Grenfell in particular. We had all of our blocks looked at." | "As an authority we have been incredibly proactive on fire, since Grenfell in particular. We had all of our blocks looked at." |
Bristol City Council said the temporary rest centre at St Nicholas Church, set up to support affected residents, had closed. | |
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