Bristol City Council has declared a major incident, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Barton House in Redfield. The evacuation comes in response to the discovery of major

structural faults that render the building unsafe in the event of a fire or explosion.

Following building surveys, the council determined that Barton House, housing approximately 400 residents, posed a significant risk to occupants. Residents have been instructed to vacate the premises and either stay with friends and family or relocate to designated rest centers.

The council is actively reaching out to residents through door-to-door visits, text messages, and other means to urge them to leave promptly. Residents are advised to pack enough clothes and belongings for a short stay, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

The decision to declare a major incident enables the council to seek assistance from external organizations. The council clarified that the issue is not related to RAAC concrete. Ongoing surveys will provide further insights into the building's structural integrity.

The oldest structure in the council's estate, Barton House has been under scrutiny as part of the council's deliberations on its long-term future. Experts conducting surveys uncovered potential compromises to the building's structure in the face of fire, explosion, or significant impact.

In response to the evacuation, this afternoon's scheduled Bristol City Council meeting was postponed. The local GP surgery, Wellspring Settlement, indicated on social media that it would serve as an information point for affected residents.

As a precautionary measure, emergency services have been placed on standby, highlighting the seriousness of the situation as the council addresses the immediate safety concerns associated with Barton House. Photo by Linda Bailey, Wikimedia commons.