Cardinal Lofts: MP Tom Hunt meets housing safety minister

On Wednesday, Ipswich MP Tom Hunt met with Lee Rowley, the minister for building safety, to “make sure the government is aware of what’s going on” after families were asked to leave their homes on Tuesday.

Lee Rowley, minister for building safety (Image: UK Parliament)

On Tuesday evening, residents of three floors of the Foundary Lane building were evacuated due to fire risks.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service issued a prohibition order in relation to 15 flats.

It is understood the issue relates to a defect with the building's automatic opening vents.

The residents said they were “in shock” after the officers asked them to leave their homes at 10pm on November 15.

Mr Hunt said: “I’ve been in close contact with Suffolk Fire, the freeholder of the building, and the management company.

“The fact that people have been sent out of their homes without an idea of when they can go back should never have happened.

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt (Image: House of Commons)

“I’m pressing for answers and accountability, and in the longer term we need to be urgently pursuing reform to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

“I’m determined to find out who’s responsible and make sure there’s accountability. This can’t happen again.”

Mr Hunt added that the situation at Cardinal Lofts is “totally unacceptable” and raises urgent questions.

“Why were residents evacuated in the middle of the night? When will they be able to return to their homes? Who is responsible?”

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service is working closely with Grey GR, the management company of Cardinal Lofts to help ensure the safety of residents in the event of a fire.

A ‘waking watch’ is now in place for the rest of the building - meaning there will be personnel on-site to give other residents fire warnings.

A Grey GR spokesman said: "We’re very sorry for the disruption and inconvenience this will cause, however resident safety is paramount. We are acting in accordance with the advice of the Fire and Rescue Service, and will continue to follow their advice.

"We are communicating directly with all leaseholders and have agents on the ground to support residents. We will continue to communicate as further updates become available." 

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: “The safety of residents in Cardinal Lofts is paramount. We expect the owner, Grey GR, to urgently do what’s required to fix all the safety concerns so that the residents can go home.

“We have been in active discussions with all parties involved to ensure that they resolve the situation.”