As you will have seen in news reports on the evening of Friday 15 November, a fire broke out on the 4th floor of a privately-owned student accommodation building in Bolton. The building’s fire alarm system prompted the immediate evacuation of the building and all occupants were able to leave the building successfully.

Our fire safety advisors would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of evacuating buildings swiftly and responsibly when a fire alarm is activated, irrespective of potential or perceived cause. There is no way of knowing during the early stages of an alarm whether it has been caused by a fire or not. Leaving the building quickly, ensuring as far as possible that others are doing likewise, has to be the priority in any fire alarm situation.

Warwick’s priority is the safety of students and staff. Our own fire safety arrangements come under regular scrutiny, and, even though we do not manage buildings like those involved in the fire on 15 November, we will be carrying out a review of our arrangements to ensure that we continue to maintain and enhance fire safety.

Many thanks for your co-operation.

Rachel Sandby-Thomas, Registrar and Rosemary Drinkwater, Group Finance Director