It ‘could have been another Grenfell’ - Tenants' concerns after Tipton flats fire
Dozens of people were evacuated as a block of flats went up in flames - with one stunned resident declaring: "This could have been another Grenfell."
Tenants fled for their lives as flames consumed the block in Tipton, as a schoolboy was arrested on suspicion of starting of starting the blaze.
Eight people were rescued from the flats on St Mark's Road and around 40 evacuated.
Stranded residents, cut off by the flames, escaped from windows down ladders put up by firefighters.
A dramatic image showed smoke pouring into the night sky as raging flames spread up the side of the building.
Most of the right-hand side of the four-storey Greenlawns block appeared to be on fire.
WATCH residents' concerns over fire
Residents gathered on the street as the fire took hold of their homes, while several nearby roads were closed.
Fire crews managed to rescue all tenants from the burning building. Paramedics treated a man and a woman for smoke inhalation but they did not need to go to hospital and nobody else was hurt - but residents caught up in the drama said the outcome could have been much worse.
A mother-of-three, who gave her name only as Kez, said she feared mass casualties similar to the Grenfell Tower blaze in London.
The 32-year-old said: "I think this fire could have turned out like the Grenfell Tower.
"I can't go back into the flat because of the damage.
"I don't know how long it will be until I can go back, I will have to phone the council."
Janice Smith, the freeholder of the flat, told of chaos as tenants fled from the block.
She said: "I'm so thankful nobody got hurt. Buildings can be put right, but lives can't.
"I was here most of the night. There was around six or seven fire engines, ambulances, everybody came out.
"You couldn't get past the road, it was full of people. It was chaotic. Police turned up quicker than I expected.
"I can't say what damage there is because it is a crime scene."
Kirk Saunders, aged 42 from Tipton, saw the fire taking hold from a park behind the flat.
He said: "I was coming across the park. As I was coming to the entrance, I saw this flat on fire.
"I tried to climb over the fence. I ran around and most people were out.
"I would say there was a bit of damage. I think a lot of it has been smoke."
Three tenants slept in dance studios at the Tipton Sports Academy leisure centre, while others stayed with friends and family.
A total of 28 firefighters tackled the blaze, which started at around 10pm on Thursday.
The cause of the fire was still being investigated today, but police confirmed a 16-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of arson. West Midlands Police said the teenager was detained at his home in Tipton and was questioned yesterday.
The Greenlawns flats are among a row of four blocks of flats, each made up of two adjoining blocks, and are home to more than 100 people.
Some residents have been able to go back into the flats in the part of the block that was unaffected but the rest of it was still sealed off yesterday.
Fire chiefs confirmed they would be working with police as part of the investigation.
Andy Smith, station commander at West Bromwich fire station, said: "The front section of the block, the part looking from the road, is unaffected.
"We have got people back in those nine flats there.
"In the back part, nine flats had to be evacuated due to fire damage and electrics.
"We have to isolate parts of the block. As far as the scene goes, investigations are carrying on."
Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling said: “Approximately 40 people were evacuated from the privately-owned flats at one of the blocks at Greenlawns in St Marks Road and three people stayed overnight in the Tipton Sports Academy.
“Fortunately the rest of residents were able to stay to arrange accommodation with friends and families. Council officers were at the scene helping with evacuating and supporting residents and housing officials were at the scene today to discuss with the tenants their situations."
We will help tenants unable to return home after flat blaze, vows council
Devastated residents living at the fire-hit block of flats are unable to return to their homes with the council vowing they won’t be left without help.
Firefighters rescued residents from Greenlawns flats in St Mark’s Road, Tipton, after it went up in flames.
Council bosses at Sandwell have vowed they will support tenants who have been affected by the fire.
Fire bosses are treating the blaze as arson and believe it was started outside the building from a pile of rubbish.
Pictures taken during the blaze on Thursday evening, showed flames towering up the side of the four-storey building.
The majority of the site has been been opened back to residents, but one quarter of the block, containing nine flats, has been left damaged with residents who lived there forced to find temporary accommodation.
Three tenants slept at Tipton Sports Academy after the blaze but the majority stayed with family and friends.
Councillor Syeda Khatun, deputy leader of Sandwell Council, said: “As a council we are concerned about the incident.
“It is unfortunate this has happened but thankfully emergency services arrived quickly and there was no fatalities or lives lost. Council officers are here to support residents. If residents have lost things in the fire or they have been damaged, we will look at that.
“We are also working with tenants.”
Station Commander Andy Smith said fire investigators were working alongside police as part of the probe into the blaze.
He said: “We believe the fire started outside the property from a quantity of rubbish. The fire is being treated as arson.
“There was smoke and fire damage to the rear of the property and there is some water damage from a burst pipe.”
Fire crews arrived at the scene in four in four minutes and 48 seconds are being first called.
