A rare opportunity for firefighters from Leyton Fire Station to practice their highrise procedures was offered recently by the flexibility of contractor JLP in the demolition of St Paul’s Tower on the Beaumont Estate.
“Contractors usually have their own rigid timetable,” explains Leyton’s station manager, Bill Bird. “They want to start demolition as soon as the last resident has left. Watch Manager Graham Uttley did well in spotting the potential for a practice and we really appreciate JLP giving us a window of a couple of days.”
Demolition of two 22-storey tower blocks – St Catherine’s Tower and St Paul’s Tower – is a significant part of the £45 million regeneration of the Beaumont Estate by housing association L and Q Forest Homes. The towers will make way for two new landscaped squares.

Three fire engines and around 20 firefighters were involved in the high-rise practice on September 6, searching for dummies in a smoke-filled flat  on the block’s 15th floor (flat number 72). The block’s services remained on during the practice, which gave firefighters a chance to test long-standing procedures, using dry risers and fire lifts as well as reviewing command and control procedures.

Fire safety promises to improve with the redevelopment of the Beaumont Estate. New and more accessible low-rise housing is built to the latest building regulations. An improved environment is expected to reduce the incidence of fires.

The danger of fire was made clear when one of the four fire engines intended to take part in the practice was called away to a real fire. London Fire Brigade encourages an awareness of fire safety and offers free home fire safety checks through local fire stations.

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