Brighton Pankhurst Avenue flats fire: Families seek legal bid

The blaze at Pankhurst Avenue in Brighton left as many as 50 people without a home after flames spread.

Firefighters battled all night to fight the flames while neighbours described seeing an “absolutely devastating scene” with a “wall of smoke” and “grown men sobbing”.

Families described losing their treasured possessions after having to flee the burning building in fear for their lives.

Nearby buildings and homes also had to be evacuated over safety fears.

Now the families are launching a legal campaign against building owner the Guinness Partnership after flames engulfed the entire complex in just 17 minutes on the evening of September 20, 2019.

The Pankhurst Avenue flats on fire, September 20, 2019. Picture by Oliver Button @OBDroning

In a statement the families said: “There are still thousands of families across the UK living with the worry of unsafe and dangerous cladding.

“When our homes were destroyed in 2019, we never expected to still be continuing our fight for justice at the loss of our homes, treasured possessions, and the trauma of having to flee from a burning building in fear of our lives.

"In order to stand up to large organisations like the Guinness Partnership, we are calling for members of the public to help us with our campaign, if they can, showing landlords that they cannot get away with ignoring safety concerns.

“If our challenge is successful, this could spur action and help rectify this blight on our nation's homes.”

Pankhurst Fire

The fire caused damage to the three-story building, completely destroying the roof and the top floor which contained four flats.

The building was left unfit for habitation and had to be bulldozed.

A fire service investigation found that the fire stopping within the roof was inadequate.

The scene of the terrifying fire at Pankhurst Avenue, Brighton in September 2019

In the report following their investigation, East Sussex Fire and Rescue stated: "Fire Action notices were in the communal stairwells which advised occupants to stay in their flats...it appears occupants did not pay heed to this advice and evacuated immediately...the speed and extent of the fire development showed this to be a rather fortuitous move."

BRIGHTON FIRE PANKHURST AVE.

The Guinness Partnership said: "We have been working with and supporting residents of Pankhurst Avenue, Brighton since the fire which destroyed the homes at 122-124 Pankhurst Avenue.

“The homes at Pankhurst Avenue were built in 2008.  The building did not perform as it should have done in the event of a fire.  Following their investigation, there has been no suggestion by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service of negligence on the part of the Guinness Partnership.

“Residents rightly state that part of their campaign is about “showing landlords that they cannot get away with ignoring safety concerns”. At no point prior to the fire had residents raised fire safety concerns with us. 

“We have shared with residents the fact that we are developing proposals to rebuild the estate.  We believe this will enhance confidence in the safety of the homes.

“We cannot comment on any action being taken by ourselves or our insurers against third parties involved in the design or construction of, or building control approval for, the homes at Pankhurst Avenue.”

Social justice law firm Hodge Jones and Allen is representing the families.

Legal associate Brenel Menezes said: “For too long the former residents of Pankhurst Avenue have had their questions about what led to the destruction of their homes ignored.

“It is clear that this building did not meet fire safety standards – and we believe this is down to the negligence of the Guinness Partnership, and others.

“The time for waiting patiently for an explanation is over, the families deserve answers.”

To support the Crowd Justice campaign or to find out more about the families’ campaign visit www.crowdjustice.com/case/justice-for-pankhurst.