'Poor workmanship' one of the reasons behind Millfield Manor fire as report is finally released

The Millfield Manor fire report was finally released yesterday almost two years after its findings were established, and the report shows the many deficiencies that were involved in the construction of the homes that burnt to the ground in Newbridge back in 2015. Six houses were completely gutted within the space of 25 minutes, and though there were no injuries suffered in the blaze, it ruined the lives of families who were living in the homes that have since been described as poorly built by the fire report. The full report was only released following a Freedom of Information request from TD Eoin Ó'Bróin. Councillor Mark Lynch, who has brought the issue up several times at local council and has been working with Eoin O Broin T.D has said; "The report today is damning and even more damning is that this government and all local TD's think it is acceptable to hide this fact from the householders that they are living in homes that are not to proper building standards. Today I visited householders and the estimated cost of €30,000-40,000 to rectify each house is too much for families, the Minister and his department have to step up to the mark and carry the cost of rectifying each home. "It is unacceptable that our government TD's think it is appropriate that two years after a quick spreading fire, to leave residents in homes which are in effect a firetrap. The department knew this almost two years ago yet hid the report, only today thanks to Eoin o Broin T.D. has it emerged that the dozens of homes at Millfield are not in compliance with building regulations and need to be rectified immediately. Our local T.D's have a lot to answer for in refusing to publish this report and need to ensure that the cost to rectify these homes is carried by the department." The following is a snippet from the report;

The survey highlighted some areas of concern within the dwellings with regards internal fire spread between dwellings. The main areas of deficiencies noted were:

• Poor workmanship and improper jointing of plasterboard to separating walls within the attic space.
•  Penetration of separating wall within attic with roof timbers.
•  Fire-stop missing at top of separating wall between cavity closer and roof felt.
• Cavity closers missing to top of external walls.
• Cavity barriers missing at openings around pipework through external walls.
• Stair enclosure in 3-storey dwellings not carried up to underside of roof covering.

1.2 Recommended Remediation Works The following items are suggested as high priority items for remediation:

• Make good to plasterboard to Separating walls in attics.
• Install cavity closers at top of external walls at eaves and verges.
• Fire-stop at top of separating wall between cavity closer and roof felt.
• Provide cavity barriers above fire rated stair enclosures.

1.3 Overall assessment It was found that the houses were not in compliance with the building regulations. It is recommended that all remedial works are carried out in a timely manner. If these works are carried out, a professional advisor may be able to provide the homeowner with a certificate of compliance for the dwelling.