'We were told to evacuate our flats with no notice... weeks later we're still without a home'

Hundreds of residents who were told to move out of their apartments due to a severe fire risk are still living in hotels weeks later - with no idea when they could return home.

£15m development Skyline Chambers, a block of 107 apartments on Ludgate Hill, in Manchester city centre, was deemed unsafe after a recent investigation revealed the risk of 'fire spread' in the internal courtyard was 'very high'.

In early October, residents received knocks on their doors and were handed prohibition notice letters, authored by GMFRS Chief Fire Officer Dan Russel, where they were told the risk to them was 'so serious' and that they had to move out into alternative accommodation immediately.

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The letter also stated that back in 2020, a risk of 'external fire spread' at Skyline Chambers had already been identified, but that the evacuation strategy had been changed in response and fire alarms introduced. The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said they had been regularly monitoring the situation at the building.

Following a further independent investigation at the building, facilitated by the freeholder Wallace Estates, it found a further fire risk in the internal courtyard. Wallace say they took 'immediate action' in evacuating residents and is 'prioritising remediation works' for residents to return home.

Renters who were told to pack their bags at a moments notice, are still be displaced weeks later; living in various hotels and serviced apartments across Manchester - but