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Cladding on Thanet high rise homes to be reviewed after Grenfell Tower fire in Kensington

Cladding on Thanet’s tower blocks will be reviewed in the wake of the Grenfell disaster.

But the district council says that the materials on local homes were not the same kind as on the London block that erupted in flames last Wednesday.

By today (Sunday) the count of those presumed dead from the west London tragedy rose to 58.

Fire ripped through the Grenfell Tower in London. Picture: @Natalie_Oxford
Fire ripped through the Grenfell Tower in London. Picture: @Natalie_Oxford

There were only 12 known fatalities immediately after the blaze.

Investigations are now focusing on whether the cladding on Grenfell Tower, in north Kensington, played a key role.

Thanet District Council issued a statement on Friday titled: "General fire and safety cladding."

It said: “A number of blocks in Thanet have been over clad and we are reviewing the work that has been undertaken.

We can confirm that this work did not use the same rain-screen type of system that was used at Grenfell Tower. A full review of cladding materials, where these are in place, will be carried out by East Kent Housing.”

Arlington House in Margate, one of Thanet's tower blocks
Arlington House in Margate, one of Thanet's tower blocks

Thanet’s tower blocks include Arlingon House in Margate, which Thanet council is freedholder of, and Trove Court in Ramsgate.

The council statement added: “We would like to reassure all our residents that Thanet District Council continues to work very closely with the Fire and Rescue Service.

“ All of our social housing accommodation, including our tower blocks, is managed by East Kent Housing.

“Each property has an up-to-date fire risk assessment in place and any works agreed with the fire service are completed.

“We are obviously very keen to reassure residents at what must be a worrying time for them.

"The team at East Kent Housing will be visiting residents within these properties to reassure them that the systems used were different and to restate safety advice.

"The safety advice given will reflect national guidance and has been agreed on a block by block basis with the fire service."

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