£15m property bosses issue statement after residents handed letters telling them to move into hotels

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The freeholder of an apartment block in Manchester city centre has said the building is 'no longer considered safe' after residents were handed letters and told to move out.

Those living inside the £15m development, Skyline Chambers on Ludgate Hill, were told to move into hotels or alternate accommodation after their building was deemed a severe fire risk.

Residents told the Manchester Evening News the notification came as a 'huge shock' and 'out of the blue'. Wallace Estates, the property freeholder, have now issued a statement and claimed that an investigation by independent fire safety advisors said the development was 'not built in accordance with either the original specifications or building regulations in place' when it was constructed in 2007. READ MORE "It's a huge shock...": Residents told to evacuate £15million city centre apartments due to 'severe hazard' READ MORE Manchester City Council provide update after hundreds of residents suddenly told to leave apartments due to 'severe hazard' The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said they are 'working closely' with Manchester City Council and 'engaging' with Wallace Estates in order to 'ensure that residents’ safety is prioritised' and that they are 'provided with suitable accommodation.' It is understood the courtyard is largely constructed of wood, as are large sections of cladding which cover much of the exterior of the six and seven storey block.

Residents were given a letter from Greater Manchester's chief fire officer, Dave Russel, headed 'Urgent - action required', as they were told a recent investigation had found the risk of 'fire spread' in the internal courtyard was 'very high'.