Residents have waged war over the installation of new fire doors they say are unsafe.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is in the process of installing more than 800 fire doors across at its apartment blocks. It is part of a £1.9 million housing programme that will see 1,100 fire doors fitted across the city.
However, the tenants of Honeywall House, Penkhull House and Southern House, in Penkhull, have refused council contractors access to their homes to put in new front doors.
According to a local newspaper, tenants said the council has supplied “shoddy” materials and the new doors can easily be forced open.
Concerns were addressed at a meeting between the two parties last week.
Graham Barrett, aged 60, of Southern House, said: “The council has spent very little money to buy cheap, shoddy material.
“They have already installed fire doors, but now they want to replace our front doors with the same type of material. “But the new doors are not as good as the ones we already have. They are not going to be secure. Someone could easily force them open.
A spokesman for the council stated the move did not come about due to a visit from the local fire service, but a risk assessment.
Councillor Gwen Hassall, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for housing and neighbourhoods, said: “Fire doors are being installed in properties across the city following a risk assessment. We recently met with residents and have taken on board the comments. We will continue to work with residents on the program of improvements.The fire doors are a legal requirement.”
