Bibby Stockholm: 'Fire safety concerns' over
migrant barge
WEST
COUNTRY
DORSET
IMMIGRATION
PORTLAND
Monday 31
July 2023 at 6:41pm
The Bibby Stockholm barge will eventually host about
500 men at a time.
Plans to
house thousands of migrants in new and cheaper accommodation could face fresh
setbacks, after reports that the Bibby Stockholm barge has not received
approval from local fire services.
The Home
Office had been expecting to send an initial group of people to the UK’s first
floating barge for asylum seekers on Tuesday.
The vessel,
known as the Bibby Stockholm barge, is in Portland, Dorset, and will eventually
host about 500 men at a time.
The Times
on Monday reported serious fire safety concerns about the vessel, with fire
service approval pending.
First 50
asylum seekers expected on migrants barge on Tuesday
One source
told the paper of fears that the barge could become a “floating Grenfell”, in
reference to the west London tower block tragedy in 2017.
A spokesman
for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said it has provided
“advice and comment” to the Home Office and the operators of the Bibby
Stockholm and is prepared to “exercise our enforcement powers” if necessary
once the barge is put into use.
Fire safety
manager Graham Kewley said: “Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
continues to liaise with partner agencies, the Bibby Stockholm’s operator and
the Home Office through the multi-agency forum and relevant subgroups.
“Responsibility
for planning, implementing and managing the safety of barge residents rests
with the responsible person, as defined in fire safety legislation, in
conjunction with the Master of the vessel.
“Where any
aspect falls within the scope of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, we
will be undertaking appropriate audits to confirm that adequate general fire
precautions are in place.
“We have
provided advice and comment in relation to fire safety arrangements to both the
Home Office and the vessels operators during our familiarisation and
pre-occupation visits.
“The fire
risk assessment is the appropriate mechanism for determining the planning,
organisation, management and control of fire safety measures, and
responsibility rests with CTM (Corporate Travel Management) and Landry &
Kling as the vessel operator – under their contract with the Home Office – to produce
and keep this document under review.
“We do not
conduct fire risk assessments or provide an approval process prior to
occupation of a premises but will exercise our enforcement powers (either
formal or informal) to address any significant areas of non-compliance where
necessary.
The Bibby
Stockholm barge
The Bibby
Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset, will house up to 500 men
Credit:
Andrew Matthews/PA
“It would
be inappropriate for DWFRS to provide further detail on the specific systems
and emergency plans in place, as these could impact upon the safety of the
vessel and/or its occupants. This aligns with our approach to any other
commercial or residential premises.”
A Home
Office spokesman said: “Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites and
vessels will provide cheaper and more orderly, suitable accommodation for those
arriving in small boats.
“The Bibby
Stockholm is now undergoing final preparations to ensure it complies with all
appropriate regulations before the arrival of the first asylum seekers in the
coming weeks.
“In
addition, the Home Office is working with stakeholders on a carefully
structured plan to increase the number of asylum seekers at Wethersfield in a
phased approach.”
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