The growing number of migrant workers being house in sub-standard accommodation is increasing the risk of a serious fatal fire, a chief fire officer has warned.
Peter Holland, chief officer for Lancashire Fire and Rescue, said that brigades across the UK have reported fires in packed houses of multiple occupation, often used to house migrant workers. He warned private sector landlords that they need to be aware of their legal obligations.
“I’m seriously concerned that somewhere in the UK we’re going to have a multiple fire death in a house of multiple occupation,” he told BBC News. “Though many HMOs are well run and incorporate proper fire precautions, such as alarm systems and fire doors, it is sadly the case that a number are not. We have had a number of fires in Lancashire in which firefighters have saved the day and rescued people, but have discovered an atrocious lack of fire protection measures in the property.”
A BBC News investigation found that some local authorities have noticed a sharp rise in problem properties. Peterborough, for example, has launched its own licensing scheme to try and force landlords to meet their obligations, only 100 out of more than 1000 potentially dangerous properties have been licensed so far.
“There’s a big influx of economic migrants in Peterborough and people are getting on the bandwagon,” enforcement officer Peter Bezant said. “I wouldn’t say necessarily exploiting the situation, but they’re getting a good return and the biggest risk is fire safety. It’s on the increase – and we are only just skimming the surface.”
The BBC followed Mr Bezant on his inspections where in one case, 12 Slovak farm workers were living in a house in which three beds had been squeezed into the living room and one in the kitchen, with the only fire escape from upstairs blocked by a mattress.
