Fire service orders closure of carpark under apartments

As up to 12 households in the Steeples Apartments in Navan remain without electricity, the Meath Fire Service has ordered the closure of the basement car park at the complex.

A fire in the basement on Monday night of last week, saw several households evacuated and it is believed up to 12 apartments are still without electricity.

The fire services has since issued a closure notice on the carpark, which has been used by homeless people and has led to complaints by residents of drug taking and anti-social behaviour.

A notice erected at the complex states the car park “poses or is likely to pose a serious and immediate risk, including risk of fire, to the safety of persons on or in the said premises”.

Among the risks noted are the lack of a fire alarm in the car park, emergency lighting in the basement is inadequate and electrical installations in the basement have been damaged as a result of fires.

A spokesperson for ESB Networks said: “Once all necessary repair works have been carried out and the required certification is in place, ESB Networks will engage in the reconnection process to facilitate the safe restoration of supply.”

One resident who has been without power since last Monday night said he has no idea when power will be restored.

“A number of apartments had to be evacuated. The fire seemed to have started in the basement where there is a lot of rubbish dumped. There are 12 of us now who still have no electricity. This was the second fire in the basement this year - there was another fire in March. There was also a medical emergency in the basement on Tuesday. I cannot continue to live like this,” he said.

“It is a nightmare. Some of the residents here are older or vulnerable people with nowhere else to go.

“We have been told the management company that operated here has withdrawn. We don't know what is happening. I believe there is a new one appointed.”

Another resident has expressed concern about parking. “Where are we supposed to park if they close the car park? Are we supposed to park out on the street and pay for parking all day?”

She said the situation is a nightmare for residents. “We have people in here using the car park for drug taking and drinking, I am terrified of going in or out that way. The homeless people had moved out last week, but they were back on Sunday.

“There are a lot of children living here, and it must be terrible for those families. I'd hate to be living here with children,” she said.

Cllr Alan Lawes said that residents are now very concerned about the safety of their apartments. “There has been a lack of communication from the council and the management company and the residents are very concerned,” he said.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said his only surprise by the closure of the basement by the Fire Service, is that it didn't happen sooner.

“It is covered in household waste, drug paraphernalia, tents and sleeping bags. Residents who are forced to park there are absolutely petrified to do so.

“I'm hopeful that the basement closure is the first part of a process that will finally deal with issues on the Steeples.

“I will continue to work with the residents and stakeholders for as long as is necessary to make the area safer,” he said.

A spokesperson for Meath County Council confirmed the council served a Closure Notice on the basement of The Steeples, Timmons Hill, Navan under the Fire Services Acts 1981–2003.

“The Council is engaging with the management company to ensure the identified fire safety concerns are appropriately addressed”.

A spokesperson for the Owners' Management Company said the company was working closely with An Garda Síochána, the Fire Service and all relevant authorities following the recent incident.

“The safety of our residents is our priority. We are committed to completing the necessary works and improving the safety and security of the development.

“As investigations are ongoing, we will not be making any further comment at this time.”