Fire at University of Limerick student flats raised fears they would have to close over safety concerns

University of Limerick (UL) officials feared having to shut a student village if emergency fire safety works were delayed.

A fire at the on-campus Cappavilla Village apartments last year “highlighted fire safety deficiencies”, UL told the Higher Education Authority (HEA) last month.

Plans are in place to urgently address the problems this summer but UL was worried a HEA directive to pause capital spending could delay the works.

The HEA has since said it is happy for the works to take place.

Spending had been stopped after UL admitted paying €5.2 million more than it should have on a separate student accommodation scheme.

Last year’s fire is understood to have spread from a disposable barbecue being used on a balcony.

The university said the complex was declared safe to continue housing students.

Local fire officers advised the college to conduct additional remedial works on cladding outside the building.

College officials were wary the fire officers could ask UL to close the complex if the remedial works were delayed, UL Provost Professor Shane Kilcommins said in correspondence released under freedom of information.

“We are working with the local authority fire officers who require us, as an urgent health and safety matter, to undertake emergency remedial work. We are also examining other villages, Dromroe and Thomond, which have similar external timber cladding,” Prof Kilcommins wrote.

These complexes were assessed recently and, while final reports have not been completed, it is not expected additional works will be needed at Dromroe or Thomond.

UL’s spokesman said works required to improve the building are “progressing immediately” with no impact on accommodation availability.

“There is a robust fire safety management programme in all residences and UL has the highest level of networked fire detection technology in all buildings on campus,” the spokesman added.

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