Calls for inquiry into Welsh housing association property fire

The safety of residents living in a Cardiff home, owned by the Cadwyn Housing Association, were reported to have been put at risk when a faulty circuit breaker caught fire.

Yolanda Brito and her three daughters were at home when the fire occurred on the 1st of May. By flicking on the electricity switch in the kitchen, which had kept on tripping off, the unit caught fire, although it was prevented from spreading.

The product in question had been recalled by manufacturers, Electrium, a month earlier, although the housing association insisted that it was not informed about this until three weeks prior to the event – and even then, they claim that they were told it was a “low risk”.

An assembly member has since demanded an inquiry into the alleged failings of the housing association.
Cardiff North AM Jonathan Morgan said:

“This is an absolutely disgraceful set of circumstances. I’m very worried that my constituent has been put at risk in this way.

“They (Cadwyn) should have acted more quickly. It begs the question why this housing association did nothing for three weeks and then… my constituent’s house caught fire.

“I think the housing minister needs to undertake an urgent inquiry to establish what happened to look at the facts then see what protocols are needed to share information in a better way in the future.”

Cadwyn chief executive Chris O’ Meara explained their delayed response when she said:

“Our first priority is our tenants’ welfare. If we’d have been told the risk was higher we would have acted quicker.”

Whatever the findings of any possible future inquiry, it is important to remember that housing associations are legally responsible for keeping residential buildings safe from fire. Fire Risk Assessments need to be carried out on any properties you own or manage and so a Fire Safety in Housing Associations course may be required. Your staff will then be able to complete the necessary fire safety training to carry out their jobs.