REASSURANCE has been given to people living in Torfaen high-rise blocks following the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower in London.

Last week’s blaze engulfed a 24-storey tower in West London and has so far killed at least 79 people.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service released a statement from assistant chief fire officer Andrew Thomas.

It said: “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to those affected in this unprecedented fire, and also to the emergency responders who have been tackling this incident.

“As a service, we would like to reassure our communities that this type of fire is rare and that high-rise buildings are designed to resist fire, stop the spread of smoke and provide a safe means of escape.

“We work closely with the housing sector and local authorities to ensure our high-rise buildings comply with fire safety legislation.

“The service operates a risk based inspection programme, giving advice and guidance, and where necessary use our regulatory powers to enforce the legislation.

“To support our operational response, crews undertake familiarisation visits and training at high risk premises, which includes high-rise buildings.

“As a fire and rescue service, we wish to remind all landlords of their responsibility to undertake a fire risk assessment in line with fire safety legislation.

“General fire precautions must also include evacuation strategies.”

He added: “Any lessons learned from the investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire will be incorporated into planning arrangements for dealing with incidents at high-rise properties.”

Alan Brunt, who is chief executive of housing association Bron Afon, said: “This tragic fire has led to some worried tenants contacting us.

“We are doing the best we can to answer their questions to reassure them.

“We do plan to communicate to individual residents over the next week once we have more information and facts about the London fire.

“It is difficult as we don’t want to get involved in any speculation about what caused the fire and how it spread at Grenfell Tower.

“We were the first social landlord in Wales, and possibly the UK, to retrofit sprinklers to a high-rise block.

“That was in 2011 at Fairview Court in Pontypool but we have since gone on to do the work at our two others high-rise blocks, The Tower and Monmouth House, in Cwmbran.

“Our staff have an excellent relationship with local firefighters at South Wales fire service.

“The public inquiry has now been announced and we will watch for any measures or recommendations that are made.”

For more information about fire safety, visit South Wales Fire and Rescue’s website: www.southwales-fire.gov.uk