Fire wardens patrol flats after failed inspection

More than 100 residents have been left living in uncertainty after a group of flats failed a fire safety inspection, requiring wardens to be on patrol 24/7.

People living in Foulgers Opening off Ber Street, Norwich, say they have been given little information from Orbit Group, the housing association that manages the properties.

The firm said the "waking watch" wardens had been employed as a "precautionary measure" until fire safety in the dozens of flats is improved.

However, there are complaints the wardens are making noise, including playing loud music at night, and have been spotted sleeping in their cars.

Residents said the wardens turned up one day and people were given letters explaining they would be monitoring the buildings due to fire safety issues.

But they have been told little more.

Verity Leeks, 33, who has lived there for seven years with her partner and their daughter, said: "We haven't really been told the reason why it has failed.

"The blocks of flats are four storeys high, there's people of all ages, kids and people with disabilities.

"We'd like to know why it has failed."

Thomas, 28, who did not give his surname, said he did not think the wardens were patrolling or monitoring at night.

"This is the most important time as everyone is asleep, but they don't have someone sitting in the building," he said.

One resident, 50, who did not wish to be named but said she had lived there for 10 years, said she had been trying to exchange her home but no-one wanted to switch with her due to the issues.

"It is an invasion of privacy, having them [the safety wardens] stand around," she said.

"They are not very professional. Orbit need to keep us updated about what is going on."

A temporary welfare block has been placed in the car park, which is where the wardens, numbering about six on shift at a time, tend to congregate.

Residents have likened it to a social gathering and have had to tell the wardens to keep the noise down at night, complaining of loud music.

At other times, they have been seen asleep in their cars.

Leeks added: "Initially they would be sat in the buildings with foghorns.

"I get they are doing long shifts, but their job is to keep us safe. If that's what you are here to do, you need to do it."

Following the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy in 2017, changes have had to be made to fire safety measures in blocks of flats across the country, such as in Milton Keynes.

Waking watches have had to be employed, at huge cost, to monitor buildings until the necessary improvements are made.

Orbit said the wardens were there as a "precautionary measure while we carry out further checks and understand any mitigation works needed, including installing communal fire alarms".

A spokesperson added: "We fully appreciate that the presence of fire wardens may feel unusual to customers, but they are there to help keep everyone safe and we apologise if this is causing any unnecessary disruption.

"All wardens are fully trained and undertake patrols 24/7 to help ensure everyone's safety."

Orbit has not provided a date for when the situation may be resolved.

Carli Harper, a Labour city councillor for Lakenham, said residents deserved to be kept better informed.

"I think we can all accept that things go wrong in housing from time to time," she said.

"But it is really important in cases like this that customers are communicated with openly and honestly and are given a decent understanding of what's going on with their homes."

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