Community rallies together in wake of tower block fire

A woman outside Eccleston House is seeking support for her friend and two-year-old daughter who were evacuated from their home.

She says they have been left scared and worried after being woken by calls of ‘fire’ coming down the corridor from the Barton Hill tower block early on Thursday morning.

“There is a lot of fear but that’s why we’re here to reassure the residents,” says Yassin Mohamud, a Green councillor for Lawrence Hill who lives in the neighbourhood and was on the scene at 6.15am.

Yassin is standing outside the mosque on Aiken Street, where families are seeking refuge following the blaze in the tower block.

Emergency services remain at the scene of the fire and the community is rallying together for support, but the shock among the residents displaced from their homes is palpable, especially coming less than a month after the fatal fire in Twinnell House in Easton.

Firefighters were called to the tower block just after 6am and said the blaze was extinguished by 9am.

Avon Fire & Rescue said three people were hospitalised for burns or smoke inhalation, with a further three casualties treated by ambulance crews at the scene. Crews have confirmed that all people have been accounted for.

The fire services says the cause of the fire is unknown at this time and a full investigation is being carried out.

Emergency services remain at the scene following a fire in Eccleston House in Barton Hill – photo: Ellie Pipe

Abdul Elmi’s mum lives on the second floor of Eccleston House and he was staying with her on Wednesday night.

“In the morning, around five o’clock, someone knocked on our door saying ‘fire, fire’ fire’,” Abdul tells Bristol24/7.

“I didn’t hear a fire alarm but there was a lot of noise with a lot of people who live in the building shouting ‘fire’.

“When I opened the door, I saw a lot of people running outside and I took my mum outside. Now she’s staying with a neighbour.”

Abdul says he’s just grateful to have got his mum, who is in her 80s, to safety and that everyone appears to have got out of the building. But he says there are still many unanswered questions and residents at this stage don’t know the extent of the damage or when they can return home.

Residents were woken by shouts of ‘fire’ early on Thursday morning – photo: Ellie Pipe

Avon Fire & Rescue say the fire was on the first floor of Eccleston House and spread to the outside of the building, so the decision was taken to evacuate.

Some 40 residents are taking refuge and seeking support in St Patrick’s Church as well as Tawfiq Masjid & Centre, where there are people on hand to help with food, clothing, access to medicines and other welfare and care needs while Eccleston House remains out of bounds.

Amal Ali, a Labour councillor for Frome Vale who lives in Barton Hill, is among the growing number of people offering support on the ground.

“It’s sad to see, but I’m glad that our community came together and supported one another,” says Amal.

“A strong community has been shown here today. I hope those who have been affected get all the help they need – we’re here for them.”

Bristol City Council has said it is likely that some residents will be housed in temporary accommodation on Thursday evening.

Dave Hodges, Avon Fire & Rescue service area manager, said: “The fire has now been extinguished and fire crews remain in attendance to make the scene safe.  We are working with our partner agencies to support the local community during this time.”

Mayor Marvin Rees added: “I would like to thank everyone in the community who responded so swiftly to help out this morning. This includes the brave efforts of our emergency services as well as council officers who provided frontline support. In particular, I would also like to personally thank the local mosque and church who have helped us out generously during and after the evacuation.

“Many people will feel affected by recent events, including the fire at nearby Twinnell House, and I would encourage residents to seek support from the council’s housing and welfare teams who will continue checking in on everyone in the coming hours and days.

“It is completely understandable that high-rise residents across the city may feel upset and worried. We will be doing all we can to support them and will also be reminding all high-rise tenants in our city of the fire safety advice specific to their blocks.”

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• ‘I was scared for my life and my son’s life’ – tower block residents recall night of fire
• ‘These families need support’ – cost of childcare crisis in Barton Hill 
• The ‘distressing’ living conditions in a Bristol council block
• Safety inspections on all council tower blocks in wake of fatal fire

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