It is a scandal that in 2021 buildings in Britain are still clad with the combustible material that ignited Grenfell Tower and cost 72 precious lives in 2017.

This week, The Gazette revealed that such cladding wraps the towers of Crown Heights, on Alencon Link, where hundreds of people are living in a potential death trap. 

Authorities have acknowledged that if ignited, lives would be at stake.  

FirstPort, the company which manages the accommodation block, has been dilly-dallying on the matter.

They claim they are only managing the block and are not responsible for the costs.

But at the same time they say it is their duty to keep residents safe.

Which one is it, FirstPort? 

This confusion is costing precious time.

FirstPort has told us this week they are waiting for taxpayers’ cash from the government to address the issue of the cladding and make the building safe. 

This is wrong. 

It is not up to the public or residents to right the wrongs of property developers. 

Tonight, we call upon FirstPort to act now. 

Basingstoke Gazette:

Read more: Crown Heights is covered with combustible Grenfell-style cladding 

The building was built by Barratt Homes in 2003. It is this newspaper's view that whoever signed off the cladding is responsible for paying for its removal. Simple. 

What is not simple is why this management company is allowing residents to remain living in a potential bonfire and is charging them for the luxury. 

Last night we revealed that FirstPort is passing on the costs of a 24-hour fire watch to residents to the tune of £6,700-a-week. 

This is wrong.  

Residents bought and rented these homes in good faith with the assumption that living in a country like Great Britain, such buildings would meet necessary regulations. 

They have been let down. 

FirstPort has outlined no timeframe for removing the cladding or addressing the issues and is relying on the government – and taxpayers – to pay to fix the problems. 

They must take accountability and act now. 

Grenfell was one of the biggest scandals of our generation.  

And as a local paper, we will not let a catastrophe of that scale happen on our doorstep.

Tonight we say FirstPort - do the right thing and make the building safe now.

Stop charging residents and go after those responsible for the cladding, rather than expecting the British taxpayer to pick up the bill. 

Until this building is made safe and tenants are released of paying these unfair charges, we will print a picture of Crown Heights on the front page every week to serve as a reminder. 

There is no time to wait. Lives are at stake.