Grenfell disaster not likely here: Saskatoon fire dept.

As nearly 600 apartment towers in the United Kingdom are inspected for flammable cladding in the wake of the Grenfell disaster in London, Saskatoon’s fire department is reassuring residents.

Assistant fire Chief Wayne Rodger told 650 CKOM in an interview Monday the materials used in the Grenfell tower renovations are banned under Canadian building codes.

“That would not be permitted here,” he said.

Rodger noted when builders apply for permits in Canada, they’re required to disclose all of the materials they plan to use in a structure’s construction.

He added inspections occur during the construction process to ensure the permit is being used correctly.

“There’s periodic inspections,” he said. “And once the building is occupied the fire inspections continue.”

The British government is testing materials from more than 600 apartment towers to determine whether they are safe to live in after the Grenfell tower fire, which killed 79 people on June 14.

So far, 60 towers have failed those tests and some have been evacuated over safety concerns.

Rodger said Saskatoon’s firefighters were impacted after viewing footage of the devastating blaze.

“It represents the potential for calamity when improper building materials are used,” he said.

He added despite the low risk of a similar event, the fire department continuously trains for the possibility of an apartment building inferno.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Bryn Levy.