Ashford Borough Council (ABC) is reviewing safety measures with Kent Fire and Rescue following the tragic fire at a high-rise block in London overnight on Wednesday.

Following the immense blaze at Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey building in west London, seventeen people have now been confirmed dead, but this could still rise to more than 100.

While ABC does not have any high-rise blocks and safety policies are up to date, the council is keen to express that members and officers are responding proactively to the incident to reassure residents.

In a cabinet council meeting at the Civic Centre last night (Thursday), ABC leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson said: "I would like to express my sadness on behalf of the council on the tragic events in Grenfell Tower fire in London.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected.

"I’d like to assure everyone that all the appropriate safety procedures and policies are up to date, in place and fully adhered to, however we are currently reviewing matters in the light of this disaster.

"We will obviously take note of the investigation into this tragic incident and, if necessary, take appropriate action should that investigation identify any recommendations which mean we can continue to ensure the safety of our residents."

Cllr Clarkson himself was a chief fire officer in London earlier in his career, and has expressed in the past the importance of the emergency services in situations such as these.

The council today have issued a further statement about practices going forward, saying: “Ashford Borough Council do not have any high rise blocks within our Housing Revenue Account (HRA) stock, however we do have a number of blocks of flats and maisonettes in the Ashford area, together with sheltered housing schemes.

“All the Fire Risk Assessments (FRA) for our HRA blocks were updated this year and we have no outstanding priority actions.

"For all our blocks we do have a Stay Put policy and every block has a fire action plan. All our flats are fitted with Grade D fire detectors."

The 'stay put' policy is on the advice of the council's independent expert Fire Risk Assessment inspector, and means that anyone in a flat where a fire has started will need to evacuate, but neighbours should not need to leave and will remain safe due to fire resistant construction.

In rare circumstances where the fire resistant construction is breached, fire may spread within a block, and full evacuation would be necessary.

The spokesman continued: “All external cladding fitted recently to our blocks will be ‘Class 0’ which means it will not propagate a fire or flame spread, however we will obviously take note of the investigation into this tragic incident and take appropriate action should that investigation identify any issues in relation to the cladding materials or any other related recommendations so we can continue to ensure the safety of our residents.

“We have been in communication today with our contacts at Kent Fire Service and we have agreed that we will work together to ensure that our working practices continue to follow best advice and are efficient.”