FIFE COUNCIL will spend £1 million on fire safety in their 12 high-rise blocks of flats in the wake of the Grenfell disaster.

After the blaze in London on June 14, which killed at least 80 people, a multi-agency Tower Block Review Group was set up in the Kingdom.

Checks revealed that the council's high-rise flats meet all building standard and fire safety requirements but an action plan has been agreed to provide "enhanced standards in fire safety and management".

Improvements, including sprinkler systems in bin stores, direct alarm links with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, replacement of fire doors and additional escape routes, should be delivered by June 2018.

Head of housing John Mills said: "Fife's tower blocks are desirable places to live, verified by the high lettings demand from housing applicants.

"We believe that the measures outlined will ensure a higher level of amenity for tower block residents."

That includes the Broomhead Flats in Dunfermline and Bob Graham, from Dunfermline Broomhead Tenants and Residents Association, said: "After the disaster in London it did take a little while for the council to get in touch with us and we had the fire brigade out to do checks on the buildings.

"I think they knew from day one that the cladding on these blocks was totally different from the type they had at Grenfell.

"There's no gap between the cladding and the building, it's stuck straight onto it, so you couldn't get that chimney effect that there was there.

"After what happened, I did quite a bit of research on it and I think the buildings are as safe as they can be."

He continued: "We've got three towers here with 72 apartments in each, and there have been fires here before.

"I remember one where someone had left the cooker on and it set fire to the curtains but it only affected the flat where the fire happened.

"I think that's been the case in all the incidents we've had here. The flats are essentially concrete shells so they should contain it, there's nowhere for the flames to go.

"You can never say it's 100 per cent safe but I feel they've done the right thing, checking the cladding and they're putting forward improvement plans too.

"We've had meetings with the council and they've kept us informed, some people feel they didn't react fast enough but I think they've actually been pretty good.

"The problem with the council is that, despite their good intentions, it takes so long for things to happen."

The action plan includes more fire safety checks, regular fire training for caretakers and concierge staff and more engagement with residents.

They'll also look at fitting sprinkler systems in each flat, although the cost would be prohibitive.

Mr Mills said: "The largest financial commitment arising from the action plan would be the retrofitting of sprinklers to our tower blocks."

By law, there is "no current requirement to do this work" and he added: "However, this is a matter ultimately for the UK and Scottish governments to determine and provide direction to local authorities in due course."

Councillor Judy Hamilton, convener for community and housing services, said: “The safety and well-being of council tenants and residents is our primary concern.

"Since the Grenfell tragedy, the council, tenants federations, tenants and residents associations, and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have spent a great deal of time on seeking to reassure all tenants and residents that living in our tower blocks is safe."

More information is available online at fifedirect.org.uk/firesafety.