Emergency generator for Ipswich Cumberland Towers after fire

An application has been made for an emergency standby generator at Cumberland Towers, a 12-storey block of flats on Norwich Road in Ipswich.

The planning application was made to Ipswich Borough Council following a fire at the tower block, off Norwich Road, on February 26.

The generator would supply power to the two lifts in the tower in the event of power failure or fire to allow them to be used as a means of evacuation under the charge of the fire services.

Ten fire engines attended the scene last month. (Image: Deividas Ai)

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The application was validated on Tuesday but the planning statement - drawn up by building design and construction services company Ingleton Wood - is dated February 28, two days after the fire took place.

The generator would be placed in the car park behind the block, off Bramford Road, and minor work would need to take place to make space for the generator.

None of the car park spaces would be affected by the plans, and the generator would only be used in emergencies, as well as in a monthly test of about 30 minutes, along with another full load test once a year.

A huge emergency presence was at the blaze last month, with ten Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service crews from across the county called to the scene. The fire was found to be in the bin store.

A spokesman for the fire service said at the time that the incident was not being treated as suspicious and there would be no further investigation into the blaze. 

Although no one suffered injuries at the scene, the East of England Ambulance Service also attended.

A decision on the application is expected by the borough council's planning department in due course.