Norwich man's Stone Road flats fire safety row with council

Stephen Bulman lives in Stone Road in NR3 and says that many of the doors in the flats are "not fit for purpose" and endangering those living there.

Stephen Bulman at Stone Road sheltered housing, where he wants to highlight the fire hazards in the building, including this fire door which he says is not a fire door (Image: Newsquest)

The 68-year-old said: "Ever since I moved into the building in 2015 I've been trying to get Norwich City Council to recognise the doors here - which are meant to be fire doors - that are damaged and need replacing.

"There's plastic gaskets around the doors, which will melt if there's a fire, as well as spray paint in the pocket of air behind the roof's cladding, which is a danger.

Mr Bulman says the gaps around door frames would allow smoke to be able to get through (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

"I worry that people's lives would be at risk if a fire was to break out due to inhalation of fumes because these doors won't stop smoke getting into their homes due to the huge gaps in them.

"This is a complex of about 34 flats with a lot of people in."

Stone Road sheltered housing, where Stephen Bulman has said there are multiple fire hazards in the building (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Bulman's complaints come after the city council informed residents that 450 fire doors of tower block flats will have to be replaced.

A spokeswoman for Norwich City Council said: "The safety of our occupants is a responsibility we take extremely seriously, and we are transparent in our approach.

"The last fire risk assessment for this address was completed in late 2022 and did not identify any significant issues.

"We will, of course, respond to any specific concerns about any repair needs when they are reported."

Stephen Bulman outside Stone Road sheltered housing with a letter from the housing ombudsman (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Bulman however has said he's raised concerns about the risks throughout the building which have fallen on deaf ears.

He claims the situation is risking "another Grenfell Tower situation" in reference to the London fire of 2017 that saw 72 people die.

Mr Bulman has said the plastic gaskets around door frames would melt if a fire were to occur (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

He added: "I asked for a copy of the fire order from last year and was assured I would receive it soon but I haven't received anything - because I don't believe it's been done.

"Whether the doors have been damaged by contractors or tenants throughout the years they needed to be replaced but the council hasn't done anything."

Mr Bulman said there could be another Grenfell Tower Situation if a fire was to break out at the sheltered housing in Stone Road (Image: Newsquest)