A RESIDENTIAL block of flats in Kendal has been given the all clear as part of a national review of fire safety following the Grenfell Tower blaze.

Sand Aire House was one of two buildings in Cumbria deemed high rise and in need of urgent review after the fire, which claimed the lives of dozens of people.

Councillor Stewart Young, leader of Cumbria County Council, made a statement at today's meeting of Full Council.

He said the building, along with the Civic Centre in Carlisle, has not used the type of exterior cladding used on Grenfell Tower.

He added fire chiefs are supporting reviews in council buildings, schools, care homes and hospitals.

Cllr Young said: "Following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower there was a national instruction to all fire and rescue services to urgently review any high rise buildings in their areas.

"In Cumbria there are only two buildings classed as high rise - meaning over six storeys. One is the Civic Centre in Carlisle and the other is Sand Aire House, a privately owned residential block of flats in Kendal.

"Fire safety audits have now been carried out on both buildings and neither building has the type of exterior cladding used on Grenfell Tower.

"As well as this, here in Cumbria, our Fire Service is coordinating and supporting risk reviews on council buildings, prioritising schools and our care homes. We have also been working closely with other organisations, including the NHS, to prioritise and coordinate risk based inspections on their medical centres, hospitals, business and community centres.

"I would like to thank our staff in the Fire and Rescue Service for their swift response and assessment of these buildings, despite a significant increase in demand on their services in recent weeks.

"I know that the chairman has already written to the Chair of Kensington and Chelsea council to express our condolences to those affected and offer support, I would like to echo that."