Hundreds of people have been evacuated from a 65-year-old tower block in Bristol after a major structural risk was discovered, with some families being put up in emergency shelters.
About 400 people – roughly 100 of them children – were told to leave Barton House in Barton Hill on the edge of the city centre. The city council declared a major incident, a mechanism that makes it easier to get help from outside organisations, and emergency services were put on alert as a precaution.
On Tuesday evening, the council said the evacuation was ordered after a survey revealed that if there was a fire or an explosion, it could cause disastrous damage to the structure of the building.
“The surveys undertaken to three flats out of the 98 in the block indicate that in the event of a fire, explosion or large impact, there is a risk to the structure of the block.
“As a precautionary measure and to allow for further, more in-depth surveys, residents in the block are being asked to leave Barton House immediately.”
The council said officers were contacting all tenants within the block to advise that they stay with friends and relatives for a short period while further survey work and analysis is undertaken.
For those who cannot stay with friends and family, a temporary rest centre has been opened at the Tawfiq Masjid and Centre where beds, food and drink will be made available. Further rest centres are being established.
There were confused and emotional scenes at Barton House. The roads were jammed with cars as many people tried to get away. A bus arrived to take away people who did not have their own transport. Some people said they would not leave while others were worried about what to do with pets.
Shaban Ali, a Barton House resident, said on X, formerly Twitter, that residents were in a “state of shock, panic, disbelief”.
Bristol deputy mayor, Craig Cheney, said there was a “lot of confusion as this is an emergency situation”, but added: “I don’t think panic’s the right word.”
Avon Fire and Rescue said the decision to clear Barton House was “appropriate and proportional”.
The council’s statement continued: “No evidence has been presented to suggest there is any immediate risk to health and life. The further planned survey is designed to provide all the information needed to fully assess the building structure.”
Barton House is the oldest of the tower blocks in the city council’s housing estate, with construction completed in 1958.
There were rumours that other blocks could be evacuated but the council said the design and age of Barton House make it unique within its estate and added: “There is currently no evidence to suggest the issues identified within Barton House are present elsewhere.”
