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Charging battery might have caused fatal Bristol flats fire | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Most residents of Twinnell House in Bristol had been allowed to return home by Monday | 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. | 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 temporary evacuation of 90 residents. | |
It is believed the man died falling from the flats as he tried to escape. | It is believed the man died falling from the flats as he tried to escape. |
Residents have told the BBC of their fears about homemade electric bicycles being stored in the flats. | |
Ahmed Sharif, who lives on third floor of the tower block with four children, said he had been warning the caretaker for months about electrical bikes being kept on the upper floors. | |
Ahmed Sharif said residents had expressed concerns about homemade electric bicycles being stored in the flats | |
He said the bikes were a "homemade version" and not made by a manufacturer. | |
"Someone actually designed it poorly and most of them actually have a cheaper version of Lithium ion batteries," which could be more dangerous, he added. | |
This "has been raised several times, but nobody has done anything about" it, he said. | |
Mark Barrett lives on the fourth floor of the building and said he went into the bedroom to open a window and let some air in. | |
"As I open the window I heard what can only be described as ... a muffled scream and a second or two later I see a guy fly past me," he added. | |
Mark Barrett said he had also heard that a bicycle in the block had been converted to be electric | |
Some residents reported not hearing any fire alarms as the fire, which crews suggested had started accidentally, took hold. | |
But Avon Fire and Rescue officer Vaughan Jenkins said the systems were all "working as they should". | 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. | "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." |
Some residents said they did not recall hearing any fire alarms as they were evacuating the tower block | |
Ninth floor resident Ali Haji, said he did not hear any alarms. | 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 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." |
"I'm just sad because I don't get to see my home," said Qamar | |
Qamar, 11, described how her father struggled to get down from their 15th-floor flat as he "couldn't breathe" due to his asthma. | |
He was "scared and shocked, she said. | |
"I don't want to come back here because there weren't any alarms or cameras," added Qamar. | |
Residents of floors one to 13 have been allowed to return home, after the fire 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. | Those treated in hospital include one person with minor burns and seven people suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. |
Three others were treated 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. |
Bristol Mayor Marvin 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. | 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. | "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. | Bristol City Council said the temporary rest centre at St Nicholas Church, set up to support affected residents, had closed. |
Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk |