FIRE chiefs have advised Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT) to install a sprinkler system in Kingsway House in Latchford following the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

The blaze, which engulfed the London tower block in the early hours last Wednesday, has killed at least 79 people.

Warrington has been home to two high-rise buildings used for social housing – Kingsway House and Peninsula House.

Kingsway House, off Kingsway South, is GGHT's only remaining high-rise block, following the sale of Peninsula House, on O'Leary Street, to Maghull Properties Limited in March.

The Liverpool-based development firm has set aside a multi-million pound budget to refurbish the site.

Once refurbished, the individual flats will be offered in phases for sale or rent to the market.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service attended Kingsway House following the Grenfell Tower fire to inspect the building and check procedures.

A spokesman for GGHT, part of the Torus group, confirmed the block, which has one staircase, does not have a sprinkler system in place.

She added: "We are very aware of the tragic events at Grenfell Tower in London and offer our deepest condolences.

"While we await the outcome of the investigation into the fire, we have been taking proactive steps to review fire safety.

"We would like to reassure residents that we take their safety very seriously.

"Kingsway House has a valid and in date fire risk assessment, which was last reviewed in October 2016 by consultant fire professionals.

"The block is managed by caretakers to identify any emerging risks from a fire safety perspective.

"The staircase is concrete and contains no combustible materials.

"In 2013 a consultation exercise was undertaken with residents to enable GGHT to work up scope for improvement works.

"External cladding was explored as an option, however, the improvement works did not progress.

"The building is constructed from solid concrete.

"There is no cladding system in place.

"We can confirm that the building does contain asbestos, which is managed through an asbestos management plan with annual re-inspections, as per health and safety guidelines.

"The asbestos is contained within service ducts that are not accessible to residents.

"The management plan ensures the safe maintenance of asbestos containing materials and should these require repair or renewal then these are replaced with like for like fire retardant materials.

"We have written to residents of Kingsway House to reassure them about fire safety in the building and will continue to work closely with Cheshire Fire Service to ensure the continued safety of our tenants."

GGHT was unable to confirm whether a sprinkler system would be installed in the future but said the building is subject to an option appraisal to determine any future improvement works.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has responded to concerns.

A spokesman said: "We will be carrying out full fire audits in all of the high-rise buildings in Cheshire.

"We have a policy, as do all fire services, to recommend sprinklers in all high-rise buildings."

Operational crews, prevention and protection officers have completed precautionary reassurance visits at all the 21 high rise buildings in Cheshire.

'Safe and well' visits have been offered to anyone living in such a building on request.

Chief fire officer Paul Hancock added: "Our teams are liaising with local housing providers, who manage the sites, and local authority building control and are obtaining details of cladding systems and fire risk assessments.

"We are also undertaking some joint inspections with local authority housing enforcement teams and we have begun to carry out fire safety audits under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 of all high rise residential properties."

The council has also released a statement following the tragedy.

A spokesman said: "Warrington Borough Council does not own any residential tower blocks.

"In the aftermath of the terrible events in London we have been in contact with social housing companies and will liaise with partners in Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, who have statutory responsibilities for fire safety."