Edinburgh Residents Urged to Evacuate Bonnington Bond Flats Over Fire Risk

Residents of Edinburgh's Bonnington Bond flats are urged to evacuate immediately due to high fire risk from cladding and insulation issues. Persimmon Homes will provide temporary accommodation during remediation works.

Residents Urged to Leave Due to Fire Risk

Residents in a block of flats in Edinburgh have been advised to leave their homes immediately following concerns about fire safety at the Bonnington Bond building on Breadalbane Street.

Fire safety inspections revealed significant issues with the building’s cladding and insulation, leading to the high-risk classification.

This warning comes more than two years after a previous fire at the same location caused extensive damage to several properties, leaving affected residents unable to return to their homes.

Remediation and Temporary Accommodation

Persimmon Homes, the developer responsible for the building, stated that remediation works will be undertaken but residents cannot remain in the building during this process.

Instead, those affected will be relocated to emergency temporary accommodation, including hotels or serviced apartments.

In an email sent to residents on Monday, Persimmon Homes

"strongly recommended that all residents temporarily relocate"

due to the

"high fire risk identified within the building"

The company described this decision as the most responsible course of action

"while longer-term remediation works are developed and carried out"

Resident Response and Building Background

BBC Scotland News reports that several residents have already vacated the building following the warning, while others are still considering their options.

The Bonnington Bond complex contains over 100 flats and was constructed on the site of a former whisky bond.

In March 2024, a fire at the building injured two firefighters and rendered multiple flats uninhabitable, with additional units suffering smoke damage.

Flat fire — Image caption, A fire in March 2024 caused serious damage to the building

Inspection Findings and Safety Measures

A City of Edinburgh Council report highlighted that a building survey conducted in May 2022 identified multiple issues, including

"combustible cladding and insulation, combustible decking and internal fire-stopping issues"

The report also noted that seven internal lifts were

"non-compliant"

Following the March 2024 fire, Persimmon implemented several safety measures such as

"waking watches" and fire supervisors

to enhance safety.

Remediation Timeline and Accommodation Details

There is currently no set timeline for completing the remediation works, as the

"full scope of works has not yet been finalised"

Persimmon Homes assured that emergency accommodation will be provided to all affected residents but noted that it may not be located nearby.

Residents have been informed that they will not be able to bring furniture or large personal belongings to the temporary accommodation.

Persimmon Homes Statement

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes said:

"Following recent detailed investigations of the building, experts have advised that residents should relocate from their apartments as a precautionary measure.

Persimmon Homes is offering immediate temporary accommodation to all affected residents."

They added:

"Persimmon Homes apologises for the obvious inconvenience and concern this will cause to all residents and will continue to provide on-going support until the situation is resolved."