City block of flats 'at risk of fatal fire'

RESIDENTS LIVING IN OCEAN CRESCENT TOLD 'ISSUES COULD POSE THREAT TO LIFE'

- WILLIAM TELFORD

URGENT safety measures have been brought in at a Plymouth city centre block of flats at risk of a catastrophic and fatal fire.

Hundreds of residents in Ocean Crescent have received letters telling them an inspection found "significant" issues which could pose a "serious threat to life" if a blaze started.

The 11-storey building, in the Crescent opposite the New Continental Hotel, was due to have its cladding replaced later this year - eight years after the Grenfell Tower blaze in London, in which 72 people died.

But a survey ahead of this work uncovered safety concerns and the building's car park has been closed and "waking watch"patrols by security staff have been started - at a cost of £2,726 a week.

Residents, who received letters telling them about the situation just two days before Christmas, said they are now 'very concerned' about the building's safety and how much they might end up being charged for the security patrols. They are also worried about where they are going to park their vehicles.