Tower block blaze: Fire services say 'plans in place'

Fire services in the West Country say they are prepared for fires in high-rise buildings after a huge blaze engulfed and destroyed a London tower block.

Seventeen people died in the blaze which began in the middle of the night at the Grenfell Tower block of flats in West London.

The incident also left dozens injured and has prompted fire services in the region to remind people of their advice for high-rise buildings.

A statement released by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said there were plans in place for similar incidents.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Mick Stead said the force was working with building owners and Local Authorities to ensure new and refurbished buildings meet regulations and fire services have up-to-date plans for all high-rise buildings.

He said:

It also said it was promoting sprinkler systems in all buildings to 'save lives and reduce property damage'.

In a separate statement Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue re-affirmed its 'Stay Put' policy which tells residents in certain buildings to delay evacuating when doing so may pose a higher risk than remaining inside.

A spokesperson for Bristol City Council and Avon Fire and Rescue Service said all tower blocks in Bristol have fire risk assessments which are checked every year.