CIVIC chiefs have said that another safety probe is needed into one of Southampton’s high-rise tower blocks after fire fears.

Despite all tower blocks having an up-to-date fire risk assessment, Canberra Towers, once dubbed a ‘house of horrors’, which is set for a £5 million upgrade and a new sprinkler system, still needs another inspection to identify any “further improvements” according to Southampton City Council.

An investigation found that fire safety doors in the stairwell of the 24-storey building in Weston stay half open on windy days, with a chartered building surveyor calling them “completely ineffective”.

The council said that following the deaths of around 80 people in London’s Grenfell Tower fire in June, the existing plans to refurbish the city’s six major tower blocks had been reviewed.

One resident said she feared daily for her and her children’s safety.

A statement from the council said: “In addition to the inspections that have already taken place, we will be doing even more detailed inspections starting on October 9 in Canberra Towers to identify any further improvements or repairs that are required, including to fire doors where necessary.

“All works identified as necessary will be completed as quickly as possible.

“Tenants have also been notified of our forthcoming actions on fire safety.”

The council announced in June that they will be installing sprinklers in the building, as well as other tower blocks in the city.

Despite the announcement, Keri-Ann Betteridge, a mother-of-two, said she is already looking to move out having lived in the tower for 16 months, and fears for her family’s safety every day.

Keri-Ann, 25, said: “After the fire in London I was terrified to stay in my own home.

“We had a few checks here but everything was kept quiet. I fear for mine and my children’s safety on a daily basis.

“Being told that residents still use gas cookers terrifies me, I do not accept the safety of this building but we have nowhere to turn.

“The council should be acting quickly on the matter.”

In March, Keri-Ann and other residents complained after being left without water for 24 hours.The tower block also hit the headlines in January last year, with cracks being found amid the block being dubbed a ‘house of horrors. Residents had also threatened to withhold rent until the building was refurbished.