Fire at housing association block in Hampshire was accident caused by electrical fault

HIWFRS said: “The accidental fire started on an external balcony and was caused by an electrical fault that most likely related to either the over-heating of cable on an uncoiled extension drum or a fault in the control panel of electric fencing that was located on the balcony. 

“The fire spread to the balcony of a flat on the first floor and spread to the roof soffit above the balcony. The fire then spread laterally involving multiple compartments. We have been working closely with Vivid and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to support residents affected by the fire. 

“Immediately after the fire we commenced community engagement work in the area offering ‘safe and well visits’ to residents, 23 of these visits were requested and completed soon after the fire.”

For its part, Vivid has confirmed that of those evacuated from the block following the fire, six leaseholders and shared owners are still in temporary accommodation.

Alex Nagle, customer service director at Vivid, said: “We continue to support our customers affected by the fire at Oakridge Road, working closely in partnership with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service. The strength of community spirit since the fire happened has been heart-warming and has also helped contribute to the support for the families directly affected.

“We’ve been able to move 10 households back into their homes, eight are now settled in alternative homes, with six leaseholders and shared owners who are in temporary accommodation. We remain in regular contact with those customers who are living in temporary accommodation to make sure they’re as settled as can be and to keep them updated.”

The landlord explained that it is continuing to work with loss adjusters who are completing their assessment of the fire-damaged building so that Vivid can ensure work to repair it can start as soon as possible.

Once this process is completed, the landlord said it will be updating all customers in the building and provide a potential date for completion.

Vivid added: “We have worked with the fire service from the outset to assist in their investigation into the fire. This confirmed the fire was an accidental incident related to issues with an extension cable and an associated electrical appliance.”

At the end of last year, the Building Safety Regulator set out its new enforcement policy, outlining its approach when issues of non-compliance, hazard or serious risk have been identified.