ELEVEN blocks across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are being investigated for fire safety matters associated with cladding, it has been revealed. 

Inquiry findings into the 2017 Grenfell Tower blaze which claimed the lives of 72 people concluded that each death was avoidable and had been preceded by ‘decades of failure’ by government and the building industry to act on the dangers of flammable materials on high-rise buildings.

Across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, a number of homes have also been altered as a result of the fatal incident.  

Responding to a Freedom of Information request made by the Daily Echo, a spokesperson for Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “DWFRS continues to work in conjunction with BCP Council in respect of the assessment and enforcement of remediation of the fire safety aspects of buildings of over 18m in height.

“Whilst the regulatory framework under the Building Safety Regulator is still in its early stages of collating data, DWFRS is aware of:

“11 blocks in the BCP area that have had their cladding remediated (this includes all blocks known to have the same cladding materials as Grenfell Tower in London).

“Eight blocks in the BCP area are currently have building works in progress to improve fire safety, including cladding.

“11 blocks in the BCP area are currently under investigation for fire safety matters associated with cladding.”

There are currently no tower blocks in BCP council ownership that require remediation

Cllr Kieron Wilson, BCP Council's cabinet member for housing and regulatory services, said: "The tragic and heartbreaking events at Grenfell Tower has rightly brought a focus to the delivery of fire safety measures across tower blocks in the years following it.

"BCP Council, in liaison with Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, is continuing with the assessment and enforcement of remediation of the fire safety aspects of buildings with a height of over 18m, which is generally over six storeys tall and containing at least two living units.

"We continue to work with property owners to remediate any issues and ensure any potential risk to those residents living in these blocks is reduced."