THERE WAS ALSO NO CCTV IN THE BUILDING BUT THE HOUSING PROVIDER SAID IT FOLLOWED FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES 16:03, 04 Jun 2025 A block of flats where a fire ravaged and families were

forced to escape through windows did not have any fire extinguishers or sprinkler system. Rynet Court on Marsh House Lane in Warrington was the scene of a huge blaze, leading to 50 people

being rescued through windows by firefighters and neighbours. At 5.23pm on Monday, June 2, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service received numerous reports of a fire in the stairwell of the

building. Fire crews descended on the building and road closures were put in place as smoke filled the air and the blaze rose up the building. In footage, flames could be seen coming from

Police conduct a joint investigation with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. There was also no audible fire alarm ringing through the building or sprinkler system installed to help limit the

spread of the fire. Housing association Your Housing Group, which manages the block, has now released an explanation of the fire regulations in place at the building. It said in a four-page

document issued following various questions from the ECHO, other journalists and residents that the building contained the fire the way it was meant to. Article continues below The document

said: "On Tuesday 2 June at around 5.20pm, the fire alarm system at Rynet Court detected a fire and alerted the authorities. The system also triggered other safety measures, including

the opening of a vent at the top of the stairwell to let smoke escape and maintain clear escape routes. This significantly reduced the volume of smoke that got into people’s homes."

Responding to claims fire alarms in the building failed to work, a spokesperson said each flat had its own smoke alarms in the hallway and kitchen which tell people when there are fires in

their own home. But when there is a fire in the building, it is intended for the fire to be contained and for people to "stay put" in their homes unless smoke prevents them doing

so. The spokesperson continued: "There is no fire alarm that sounds throughout the building alerting everyone all at once as this is not required. They are safest when they are in their

homes, rather than on stairwells and in corridors." This comes after a fire risk assessment in February this year, the housing provider said. The reason put forward as to why no

sprinklers are in place is due to them not being a requirement for the building due to it being below 11 metres in height and the plan fire plan not relying on evacuated residents through

communal areas. In response to why it does not have fire extinguishers, this is due to it not "normally considered necessary" to provide fire extinguishers or hose jet reels in a

block of flats as the equipment should only be used following training. A video shared on social media shows a man, believed to be a resident of the block of flats, claiming he had sent

various concerns to the housing provider over the last six months. Your Housing Group said: "We work with fire safety experts to conduct regular Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) on each of

our properties, detailing the risk associated with fires at a particular premises and the steps we take to keep everyone safe if a fire does break out. Our most recent FRA for Rynet Court

was completed in February of this year (2025). We are fully compliant with all the rules and regulations associated with reducing the risks of fire and keeping people safe if one

happens." The fire, which is believed to have been deliberate as police investigate, was not caught on CCTV as the housing provider confirmed there was no CCTV in the building. Speaking

on the damage at the block, a spokesperson said: "Our structural engineers have now carried out an initial inspection. While a full assessment is still ongoing, early findings suggest

that the main damage has affected communal areas rather than individual homes. We’ll continue to investigate thoroughly and keep residents fully informed. "To ensure the site is secure

and safe while assessments continue, we have arranged for 24-hour security guards to patrol the premises. All ground floor external doors and windows have also been secured. At this stage,

access to the building remains restricted, but we are doing everything we can to allow safe access for you to collect essential items. We will keep residents updated on this." Robbie

Wilde is a member of one of several families who live in the building, with him at home with his partner Chantelle and two-year-old son Robbie Jr when the fire broke out. It was their

daughter, Darcie-Jo, who raised the alarm while she played with her friend downstairs, her parents unaware anything was happening at all. The 33-year-old spoke to the ECHO while he and his

neighbours stood outside their fire-damaged homes. He said: "I went out to see if you could get out [the building] and you couldn't even see in front of you. All you could see was

smoke and flames. "I went back into the flat and threw the double mattress from our bed out the window. I then put my two-year-old in a bed sheet and lowered him down. "There was

someone on the balcony below ours who helped lower him down onto the mattress. This was before the fire brigade arrived at the building." Robbie added: "We have nothing but the

clothes on our back. Robbie Jr was sent down in his nappy, he didn't even have clothes until someone donated some for him. We've booked the Travelodge for two nights but I

don't know what's going to happen after that." When asked about claims a quilt was the cause of the fire, police declined to comment as officers continue their investigation.

Your Housing Group confirmed the cause continues to be investigated. Detective Inspector David Schofield from Cheshire Police said: “I’d like thank residents for their patience throughout

the night while emergency services dealt with the incident. “We’re working closely with our partners at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of the fire and would urge

anyone with any information which may aid our investigation to get in touch.” Article continues below Anyone with information who has not yet contacted police should call 101 or go to

www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us quoting IML 2102808. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.