Urgent fire prevention measures enforced in Ipswich apartments

Residents on the top three floors of Cardinal Lofts in Ipswich have been evacuated and a ‘waking watch’ will now be in place for the rest of the building to address fire safety concerns. 

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has worked closely with Grey GR, the management company of Cardinal Lofts, on Foundry Lane, to help ensure the safety of residents in the event of a fire. 

Although the management company has implemented improvements, including installing a new fire alarm, SFRS issued a Prohibition Notice for part of the building today (15 November).

The notice covers 15 apartments on floors seven to nine of Cardinal Lofts and does not impact on the rest of the property. Partner agencies, including Ipswich Borough Council and Suffolk’s Joint Emergency Planning Unit, have assisted Grey GR with providing temporary accommodation for affected residents. 

Toby Gray, Area Manager for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: 

“Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service remains committed to ensuring the safety of Cardinal Lofts residents in the event of a fire. 

“As part of ongoing work, we have raised fire concerns and advised how the building’s management company can resolve them. 

“This mitigation has not adequately addressed the risks posed to the upper three floors of the property, so it is in the best interest of residents in these apartments to be temporarily rehoused as a precautionary measure. 

“We will continue to work with the management company to find a resolution. All Cardinal Lofts residents are being kept informed of progress.” 

Additional fire safety precautions are being taken for the remaining floors, which include a waking watch to help with the safe evacuation of residents if there is a fire.