We remain deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Grenfell Tower in London. Our thoughts and sympathies are with everyone affected.

At this stage we do not yet know what caused the fire, where it started and why it spread in the way that it did.

However, we feel it is important to give guidance and advice to anyone who lives in a high-rise property or those who may be responsible for people living in a similar property.

If you live in a high-rise property you are not at more risk of a fire starting.

Fire & Rescue Services across the UK work with local authorities, developers, and tenants to help ensure that fire safety arrangements in high-rise accommodation are safe and appropriate.

Our advice to residents of high-rise properties, purpose-built flats or maisonettes is to have at least one smoke alarm fitted and test it regularly.

Know your escape route and plan what to do if there is a fire inside your home or somewhere else in your building.

What to do if a fire breaks out

• If there is a fire inside your flat or maisonette our advice is to alert all the people in your flat and leave, closing your doors behind you.

• You should follow your escape plan for your building and, if there is lots of smoke, crawl along the floor where the air should be clearer.

• Always use the stairs rather than the lift and call 999 as soon as you are in a safe place.

• If it is too dangerous to follow your planned escape route because stairs and hallways are full of smoke, ring 999 and stay inside the safest room. Keep the doors closed and use towels or bedding to block the smoke at the bottom of the door.

• If there is a fire in another flat in the building, you are usually safest in your own home unless you are affected by the heat or smoke.

• Never assume that someone else has called 999 – make the call yourself from a place of safety.

Anyone living in high-rise accommodation, or who may be worried about vulnerable loved-ones living in high-rise accommodation, can call Fire Service Direct for advice on 0800 731 5958 or email fireservicedirect@merseyfire.gov.uk

Relevant and current Home Office Guidance including Fire Safety in purpose-built blocks of flats can also be found online.