Seven fire engines were in attendance at a blaze being treated as arson in Margate today (April 6).
Crews were called at 3.17pm to reported of a fire in the basement of Arlington House tower block on Margate seafront. It is understood the fire was in the empty Arlington Arcade area.
Video by Bex Gibson
A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Kent Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a fire in the basement of a block of flats at All Saints Avenue in Margate.
“Seven fire engines attended, and crews, wearing breathing apparatus, extinguished the fire using main jets. A high-pressure fan was used to ventilate the property.
“No injuries have been reported and the cause of the fire is being treated as suspicious.”
Kent Police was also in attendance. A spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 3.41pm on Monday 6 April to a fire in a bin at a property in All Saints’ Avenue, Margate. Fire crews also attended and the blaze was extinguished. Enquiries are underway into the cause of the fire.”
Fire crews finished at the scene at 4.20pm.
Thank you, Kathy for this most comprehensive account of this incident. I hope the events of today are on the radar of the council, when next holding a meeting regarding Arlington House with the relevant stakeholders. This needs to be a wake up call for everyone involved.
If TDC were doing their job in ensuring Freshwater/ MPRL were meeting the terms of the lease for the site there wouldn’t have been a build up of combustable materials and rubbish on the site, waiting for vandals to cause a fire.
Time and time again incidents happen that potentially put residents of AH at risk of harm and the head lease holder is never held accountable.
The statutory bodies currently involved should take meaningful action.
If TDC were doing their job in ensuring Freshwater/ MPRL were meeting the terms of the lease for the site there wouldn’t have been a build up of combustable materials and rubbish on the site, waiting for vandals to cause a fire.
Time and time again incidents happen that potentially put residents of AH at risk of harm and the head lease holder is never held accountable.
The statutory bodies currently involved should take meaningful action.
God forbid its another Grenfall waiting to happen.
Thinking of all who live there hope it’s not another like Grenfall.