Concerns as fire exit made inaccessible after Portsmouth home's lounge chained off

Sydenham Court, in Berkshire Close, Fratton, is home to more than 100 people in 96 flats.

Its lounge has been closed off by staff after concerns residents at the sheltered housing block for vulnerable people were still gathering inside despite pleas to maintain social distancing rules.

There is a fire exit inside the lounge now inaccessible by residents – and this has caused concern.

Resident Les Cummings, 77, said he was worried the decision to chain off the door could lead to a potential risk with the escape route unable to be reached.

But Southern Housing Group, which runs the building, said it consulted firefighters and staff were told it was safe as the exit is only needed for when people are in the lounge.

Mr Cummings, who is disabled, said: ‘Southern Housing may claim it’s to stop residents from going into the lounge but it also blocks an important fire exit.

‘No one knows where or when a fire can occur or who could be trapped behind a locked door, that is why it's imperative for all fire exits to be kept clear.

‘As you can clearly see the round signs say “fire exit keep clear” however, Southern Housing has ignored this.’

Mr Cummings spoke to The News and has sought help from his ward councillor Cal Corkery and MP Stephen Morgan.

A Southern Housing Group spokeswoman said: ‘As a responsible social landlord, Southern Housing Group’s focus during this national emergency is our residents’ and colleagues’ safety and wellbeing.

‘We are following government guidelines which includes complying with social distancing. We communicated to our residents at Sydenham Court asking everyone to adhere to social distancing and not to use the communal lounge during this emergency.

‘Despite this and the government guidelines, the communal lounge continued to be used. Together with the fire authority we considered how best to protect our more vulnerable residents and our front-line staff and this included closing the lounge area off.

‘We consulted Hampshire Fire and Rescue (Service) prior to making this decision and their advice is that it is safe to do this as the fire exits servicing the lounge are designed to only be used for people in the lounge area.’

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