People living in a Salford tower block had a terrifying wake up call as a fire tore through a flat, sparking the evacuation of the 16-storey building.
A huge emergency service response was launched following the blaze at Mulberry Court, near Salford Precinct, just after 8am this morning (Tuesday). Five fire engines, along with multiple police cars and ambulances, were sent the scene.
Fire crews managed to extinguish the fire, which was contained to a flat on the tenth floor. Hundreds of people, from 88 flats were told to leave. Thankfully, no one was injured.
An investigation is now underway to establish how the blaze started.
READ MORE : Dramatic moment fire tears through high-rise flat as all residents safely rescued
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News as they waited to return to their homes, a number of residents raised concerns there was no audible alarm in their part of the tower.
The boss of housing association Salix Homes told the M.E.N. alarms are only supposed to sound in the 'area affected by fire'.
"The fire alarm system activated as it is designed to, along with the additional fire safety measures we have in place on the block," she said. "In line with the Stay Safe policy in operation at the building, the alarm is designed to sound in the area affected by fire."
A taxi driver, who asked not to be named, said he was returning from his shift when he saw the flames. "I was hoping to have a bit of a kip before heading back out later because I'd been working since 5am," he said.
"I saw that and rang my partner and she had been taken to Sycamore [a neighbouring apartment block]. I just had to stand out here with the dog.
"Thankfully, everyone's okay."
A woman said: "The first I knew of it was when I heard them shouting 'evacuate the block now' and it woke us up.
"We were all just sat on the floor in the communal area of Sycamore waiting to be allowed home again."
A fifth-floor resident, who was evacuated to Salix Homes' offices in Weaste, added: "Luckily, I'm fine.
"Most of the residents below the fire are allowed to return - like myself - the ones above have been told that they may not return all day."
In a statement, chief executive of Salix Homes, Sue Sutton said: "We can confirm a fire broke shortly after 8am at Mulberry Court in Salford this morning (Tuesday December 27). Fire crews attended and extinguished the fire, which was contained to a flat on the 10th floor of the building.
"he building was safely evacuated and thankfully no one was injured. We set up an emergency refuge for affected residents at neighbouring Sycamore Court and at our offices in Weaste.
"The safety of our residents is our primary concern and we would like to reassure all our residents that the fire alarm system activated as it is designed to, along with the additional fire safety measures we have in place on the block. In line with the Stay Safe policy in operation at the building, the alarm is designed to sound in the area affected by fire.
"The fire service evacuated the rest of the building as a precautionary measure. Some residents were allowed back in the building shortly after 10.30am and we are supporting residents who have still been unable to return to their homes.
“We are continuing to work with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to determine the cause of the blaze."
Multi-million pound work to improve Mulberry Court, along with neighbouring blocks Magnolia and Sycamore started in 2015 and has since been completed. During the refurbishment, new kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors were all fitted. New cladding was also installed.
Ben Levy, area manager at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed that the building ‘performed as expected’ and praised firefighters for their response.
"At 8.10am on 27 December 2022, we received the first of a number of calls about a high-rise building fire at Mulberry Court, Salford,” he said. “Our firefighters were quickly on scene and at the height of the response we had five fire engines and an aerial ladder platform in attendance.”
"Firefighters, using breathing apparatus, tackled what was an intense fire in a flat on the tenth floor, bringing it under control using water jets. They successfully contained the fire to the tenth floor, but as a precaution 88 flats in the building were evacuated.
"Thankfully, no injuries have been reported and our fire safety officer, who is working closely with Salix Homes, has confirmed that the building performed as expected. Residents have started to return to their homes, and we are working with Salix Homes to reassure them.
"Given the severity of this fire and this being a high-rise building, I’m proud of our firefighters and their swift and safe response to protect people. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing."
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