Inspectors feared 'tragedy' at high-rise block nursery

HEALTH and safety inspectors told city chiefs to move children out of a high-rise nursery "without delay" after warning that a fire "could result in tragedy", it has emerged.

Education bosses came under fire from parents after announcing the closure of the Westfield Court Nursery - which is on the top floor of an eight-storey block of flats - due to safety fears. They believed it was just an excuse to close the facility.

However, in a report seen by the Evening News, health and safety inspectors revealed that they had "serious concerns" about the planned escape route should a fire break out.

The report states: "The lengthy evacuation route means a successful emergency evacuation would require a high ratio of trained adults to children.

"The emergency evacuation plan for the nursery continues to raise the concerns of health and safety staff.

"While the current plan has worked during drills it is quite possible that the confusing and disorientating nature of a real emergency (evacuating residents, uncertainty as to the location of the fire, the presence of smoke) could result in tragedy.

"Certainly, if alternative accommodation can be found then the children should be moved without delay."

Parents have been sceptical about the council's reasons for closing the nursery.

The council insists that shutting Westfield Court in Gorgie, which was on a closure hitlist in 2007, is purely on safety grounds. But Teresa Catto-Smith, whose autistic daughter Grace attends the nursery, still says the health and safety argument is just a convenient excuse for the council to close it.

She said: "I do feel this isn't new information so the nursery should have been closed at the end of the last academic year.

"Based on the information in this report there is no reason why the nursery couldn't continue to provide this valuable service until June 2011."

In last two years the nursery has been visited several times by health and safety inspectors as well as fire service staff. They made recommendations regarding emergency evacuation and the use of smoke detectors, which were acted upon.

City education leader Marilyne MacLaren said: "We must take the advice of our health and safety professionals. We can't put the safety of children in our care at risk."