Bristol: Man killed in flats fire thought to have fallen

A man has died after apparently falling from a block of flats to escape a fire in Bristol, police have said.

Emergency services were called shortly after 02:15 BST to Twinnell House on Wills Drive, off Stapleton Road.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed one man died in the incident and eight other people were in hospital, with ninety residents evacuated.

Bristol City Council said its thoughts were with the family of the individual "who has tragically lost their life".

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that it is believed "the man fell after he climbed out of a window to try and escape the fire".

Several residents reported not hearing any alarms but Avon Fire and Rescue area manager Vaughan Jenkins said all of the fire alarms inside the flats were working properly and confirmed there were no alarms in the communal areas - which he said complied with building regulations.

"The building is run in line with regulations," he said.

Mr Jenkins said the fire appeared to have started in the hallway of a flat. He added that there was a "significant investigation" ongoing.

A spokesperson for Bristol City Council - which owns the flats - said: "Officers are currently supporting the efforts under way to assess the damage and understand how the fire started."

Residents of the block have described being woken by people screaming and police knocking on their doors.

Terry Wootten, 73, who has lived in the block for 32 years, said he heard screams in the early hours and got himself out of the building after seeing a crowd outside.

Mohammed Ahmed, has been living in the flats for 10 years and also heard shouting.

He said: "I woke up and checked the window and saw someone shouting 'there's a fire, fire', then I had to come out quickly.

"When I was coming down from the stairs I met one of the policemen who was passing me, going up."

He said police went door-to-door to wake people up.

Leyla Touati said her neighbour banged on her door for 20 minutes to get her family out as she hadn't heard any alarm.

"Everyone was still sleeping," she said.

"He didn't give up, he was just knocking and knocking which shows the community is really strong round here."

Saleh Khanot, has lived on the eighth floor of the block for nearly 10 years.

He said: "I've been knocked on by the police and told to run out as soon as possible, and that's how I got out.

"It was kind of nervous, kind of terrifying, thank God I went out and ran out. "

Mr Khanot said he did not understand why he had not heard an alarm.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said the fire service had not raised any concerns about fire alarms with him but said it would be investigated.

"There was an organised evacuation of the top floors and then people exited in the lower floors," he said.

"When we have got the investigation into what happened, how it was managed, we will be able to share more there.

"I'd be wary about sparking undue fears, people were exited from the building, but if there is anything that we find wanting about the fire safety in this building we will be open about that and take action."

A rest stop has been set up which is providing support to 40 people at St. Nicholas Of Tolentino RC Church, Lawfords Gate, by Bristol City Council.

The authority confirmed emergency accommodation would be offered to those who needed it.

Supt Tony Blatchford said: "This is a tragic incident in which a man has lost his life.

"While formal identification has not yet been carried out, we believe we know who the man is and have informed his next of kin.

"Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"Inquiries into what happened have already begun and we will work closely with the fire service to fully understand what started the fire and how the man sadly died."

Dave Hodges, Avon Fire and Rescue Service Duty Group Commander, said while the fire was quickly extinguished, upper floors were affected by smoke and fire and water damage had affected many flats on lower floors.

He explained crews faced a "serious fire" on the 16th floor upon arrival.

"The fire has now been contained and fire crews remain in attendance making the scene safe," he said.

He added: "Our sincere condolences go to the friends and family of the deceased."

Wills Drive is closed and a cordon remains around the building. Residents of floors one to 13 have now been allowed to return.

The people treated in hospital include one with minor burns and seven suffering from smoke inhalation.

Three others were treated by the ambulance service at the scene.

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