Statement from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service following the Grenfell Tower fire:

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has been working with a number of partners following the Grenfell Tower fire and, to date, we have not identified any serious fire safety concerns within the county.

We have been closely collaborating with other Fire and Rescue Services across the country and sharing advice and guidance with a number of groups, including our West Sussex County Council colleagues, District and Borough councils, the NHS, housing associations and landlords.

We are carrying out an urgent inspection programme of all residential high rise buildings, of six floors or more, in West Sussex in conjunction with the landlords and building managers of these sites, so that safety at these buildings can be properly assessed.

These investigations will take into account all of the issues identified by government, including the presence and type of any cladding that may have been used.

In addition, our crews have been carrying out reassurance visits at a number of other sites.

Once each residential building has been checked plans are being put in place to call at each individual home within them.

On the basis of discussions held with the NHS we do not believe there are immediate risks to hospital properties in the county but inspections at these sites will follow.

We would encourage all property owners, landlords and managing agents to look at their own risk assessments and ensure their tenants are supplied with the correct evacuation procedure for their flat, regardless of the height of the property.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s deepest sympathies remain with those affected by the devastating fire in London and our thoughts are with all of the emergency services who have been dealing with this tragic loss of life.

Further advice and guidance is available as follows:

For information on West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Safe and Well visits (home fire safety checks) – https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire-emergencies-and-crime/west-sussex-fire-rescue-service/home-safety-advice/home-safety-visit/

For specialist input please contact our Business Fire Safety team on 0330 222 333 or email businessfiresafety@westsussex.gov.uk

Fire safety leaflets for residents are available at – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/make-your-home-safe-from-fire

Owner and landlord fire risk assessment information is available at – https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-safety-law-and-guidance-documents-for-business

Guidance for owners and landlords on appointing appropriate risk assessors is here – http://www.fia.uk.com/fire-safety-advice.html

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is at the heart of West Sussex County Council’s Communities and Public Protection Directorate, working to support communities to become safer, stronger and more resilient through a combination of prevention, protection and response activities.