A BASILDON tower block has been fitted with a new sprinkler system thanks to a £65,000 donation from the fire service.

The service has worked with Basildon Council and the Swan Housing Association to provide sprinklers at the 14-storey Brooke House tower block, in Town Square.

Sprinklers have been fitted inside flats and in the refuge areas.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has pledged £750,000 over the last three years to help make sure that homes where the most vulnerable people live are protected by suppression systems.

The funding is available to local authorities, housing associations and charities. Those at highest risk are given priority access to the fund.

Assistant chief fire officer Dave Bill said: “We are extremely pleased to be here today to not only hand over the cheque but to ensure this land mark, Grade Two listed building, and the people who live in it, have the most effective fire protection systems available.

“Simply put sprinklers are proven life savers, there are no recorded cases of multiple fire deaths in premises where sprinklers are fitted.

Anthony Hedley, Basildon Council’s cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “We are delighted that lifesaving fire sprinkler systems have been installed in Brooke House residential tower block, helping to protect while keeping the people who live there safe.”