A residential tower in Billingham has been evacuated due to fire safety concerns discovered during routine inspections.
Residents of Dawson House were asked to leave their homes as a precaution after Thirteen Group, the building’s owner, received reports that smoke might not be safely removed from emergency exits in the event of a fire.
In the meantime, alternative accommodation has been provided to affected residents while the necessary repairs are completed over the next few days.
A helpline has also been established to assist residents during this time.
Matt Forrest, the chief executive of Thirteen Group, stated: “At Thirteen, we take our commitment to offering safe and high-quality homes for all of our residents very seriously.
“During planned inspections, in preparation for future upgrades at Dawson House, we were made aware of a potential issue with smoke extraction from the emergency exits in the event of a fire.
“While we never want our customers living in any property where there’s even the smallest risk, we made the tough decision to evacuate everyone living in Dawson House as a precaution. Over the next few days, we will address the identified risks.
“We’re supporting our customers by offering alternative accommodations and have set up dedicated support lines for any assistance they may need.
“We understand this is inconvenient, but it’s absolutely essential, and we deeply appreciate our residents’ patience during this time.”
