Help us keep the lights on Support us

Building safety in Bristol

On 25th September, Abdul Jabar Oryakhel fell to his death from his flat on the 16th floor. He was trying to escape the blaze at council block Twinnell House. 

As the inquiry into the Grenfell Tower tragedy concluded that every one of the 72 deaths was avoidable, Bristol’s two fires in the space of a month have renewed fears among tenants of the city’s high rise blocks and forced the council into action.

From concerns about flammable cladding, to high rise residents feeling their safety concerns are being ignored, we will tell the stories of Bristolians most affected and hold the council to account on making its housing safe for all. 

Are you affected by this issue? Contact us in strict confidence: sean@thebristolcable.org

Building safety in Bristol

Flammable polystyrene cladding used on Bristol towers: was the writing on the wall?

After two fires at tower blocks fitted with expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation, Bristol City Council is stripping the flammable material from all its high-rises. But experts say it should never have been allowed in the first place.

Bristol council was warned of polystyrene cladding dangers long before tower block blaze, so why didn’t it act sooner?

Bristol tower block fire fuelled by flammable cladding that’s fitted to many of the city’s high rises

Investigations

An arson attack. A pig’s head dumped outside. Eccleston House residents are traumatised, and their concerns have been met with silence.

The Cable investigates how flammable cladding fuelled a fire at the tower block, the impact it’s had on the community, and why the council’s communication is making matters worse.

Reports

Bristol high rises to be inspected for fire safety after Twinnell House tragedy

Reports

Residents question why fire alarms didn’t sound after deadly tower block blaze

Join our newsletter

Get the essential stories you won’t find anywhere else

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter to get our weekly round-up direct to your inbox every Saturday

Join our newsletter

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter

Get our latest stories & essential Bristol news
sent to your inbox every Saturday morning