Fire safety checks for high-rise tenants in Shropshire and Telford in wake of Grenfell Tower blaze

It comes as it emerged that the blaze was sparked by a fridge-freezer.

There are three just high rise blocks in the Telford & Wrekin Council area which are managed by Wrekin Housing Trust, and there are none above six storeys high in the communities served by Shropshire Council.

But the authorities are carrying out detailed surveys of a number of buildings to provide additional assurance and say that at this stage no problems are anticipated.

Shropshire Council and Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service are working with the Government to provide information concerning buildings in the county and all social landlords have been contacted to ensure that they are taking appropriate action.

The county has also offered its support to the Royal Borough of Kensington following the tragedy in which an estimated 79 people died after the blaze destroyed 151 homes in the 27-floor block.

Lee Chapman, Shropshire’s emergency planning and housing cabinet member said: “My heart goes out to all those affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower. We take our responsibilities as a council very seriously, especially concerning fire safety, and know there is no room for complacency.

“We keep our fire safety advice and practices under continuous review and we work closely with our partners to practice our emergency response. However, I want to further reassure our residents that we are doing even more to ensure their safety, and we will of course be taking on board any lessons to be learned from this tragedy.”

Guy Williams, group manager for Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service said crews have Apley House, Richards House and Reynolds House in Telford since the tragic blaze which happened on June 14.

Mr Williams said: “The visits were aimed at reassuring residents and providing them with basic fire safety advice and guidance. We are satisfied with the current Fire Risk Assessment and the fire safety plan for the buildings and we support the fire plans, including the stay in place policy. We will continue to monitor these buildings and the fire safety plans that support them.”

The flats are fitted with heat detectors in kitchens and smoke detectors. All gas boilers are inspected and serviced annually, along with electrical wiring.

Shropshire Council works closely with local the emergency services as well as the NHS, to develop shared response plans that are tested regularly to include the responses needed to evacuate residents affected by major incidents such as fire, flooding and building damage.

While the Welsh Assembly's equality, local government and communities committee is due to examine its safety requirements and guidance to residents on July 13.

Committee chairman John Griffiths said: “We all watched in horror last week as the terrible events in Grenfell Tower unfolded, and I want to get reassurances that all necessary safeguards are in place to prevent such a tragedy in Wales.

“We hope to hear from those responsible in local government, housing associations, and fire and rescue services in Wales.”

Whitehall has ordered immediate testing of the Hotpoint fridge freezer that was involved.

Whirlpool, which owns Hotpoint, said: "We offer our most profound condolences to the victims, those who have lost loved ones, homes, and possessions, and to their friends and families."

Only nine of those who died at Grenfell Tower have been formally identified so far. Nine people remain in hospital, with three still in critical care. Police said the fire had not been started deliberately and the speed with which the fire spread was "unexpected".