Sheffield residents evacuated from flats after fire service serves emergency safety notice

Residents have been evacuated from their homes in Sheffield after South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service served a prohibition notice on a block of flats thought to be unsafe.
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People were removed from their flats in The North Bank on Wicker Riverside, near Kelham Island last night (December 11) after fire inspectors found a number of safety issues within the Sheffield residential building.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service admitted it was a ‘difficult decision to make’ so close to Christmas but added that the safety of residents was ‘their priority’.

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It has not yet been confirmed when residents will be allowed to return to their homes but inspectors are said to working with the owner of the building to resolve the fire related issues.

Residents living in The North Bank on Wicker Riverside have been evacuated from their flats after South Yorkshire Fire Service served a prohibition notice on the building.Residents living in The North Bank on Wicker Riverside have been evacuated from their flats after South Yorkshire Fire Service served a prohibition notice on the building.
Residents living in The North Bank on Wicker Riverside have been evacuated from their flats after South Yorkshire Fire Service served a prohibition notice on the building.

In a statement, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service said: "Following a fire safety inspection at Wicker Riverside, North Bank in Sheffield, Business Fire Safety Inspectors have issued a Prohibition Notice on the building from a number of safety reasons.

"Whilst this was a difficult decision to make, especially so close to Christmas, our priority has to be the safety of residents.

"Our inspectors will continue to work with the building owner to support them in resolving the issues to enable the notice to be lifted.”

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It comes after the fire service announced last month that a team of safety inspectors would be reviewing all high-rise residential buildings across the South Yorkshire region by the end of next year.

All buildings over 18 metres or with six or more storeys would be inspected as part of the Government-driven ‘Building Risk Review’ programme.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.