RESIDENTS of Poole’s tower blocks are “nervous” about the lack of sprinklers and the advice to stay inside if there is a fire, a senior councillor has said.

Opposition councillor Phil Eades wants a meeting to discuss safety in the high-rise buildings following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower in West London.

There are four tower blocks near the Quay and two at Sterte, managed by Poole Housing Partnership (PHP). Sterte Court’s two 10-storey blocks had new cladding in a £7million refurbishment in 2014.

Cladding has been cited as a possible reason for the rapid spread of the Kensington fire, in which 30 were confirmed dead as of last night.

PHP has said the cladding at Sterte “complies with all current legislation” and is fire resistant, and that there are barriers which would restrict the spread of fires.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Phil Eades, former chairman of the planning committee, said he had been assured the cladding used at Sterte was different from the kind used at Grenfell Court. Cllr Eades said: “People are nervous. They are watching television, watching these tower blocks, thinking that would happen in Sterte.

“We have the same safety advice, which is to stay in your flat, which is common. If your flat is not going to be affected by fire, that’s good advice, but we need to be assured that the advice is right.” He called for a special meeting of a council scrutiny panel.

Cllr Vikki Slade has said she was told PHP was reviewing its “stay inside” policy but “haven’t publicly confirmed which cladding was used”. She added on Twitter: “I am chasing.” A Poole council statement said in a statement that some residents and councillors “will naturally be concerned”. “The safety of our residents is the number one priority for both the council and PHP. Staff at PHP will continue to visit the tower blocks over the next few days to meet residents, address concerns and provide reassurance if necessary.

“Members of the council’s people overview and scrutiny committee will receive a presentation at their next meeting on Monday June 26.

“Committee members will consider a proposal to establish a cross-party working group to scrutinise all aspects relating to fire safety in Poole’s tower blocks,” the statement said.

PHP had not commented at the time of going to press.