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Fire crews "prompt and professional" response to life threating tower blocks is a postcode lottery, according to research from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).

The FBU said due to differing resources across the country, the number of fire engines that should automatically be sent to a fire or other incident varies greatly according to its location.

Its research claimed crews levels can also vary between four or five firefighters per fire engine, and that despite there being 125 aerial ladder vehicles in England, 26% of them are available 24/7 due to a lack of fire crews.

(Image: Victoria Jones/PA Wire)

In a letter written to the Prime Minister on Saturday July 15, Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU and a former firefighter, wrote: "In the aftermath of the terrible tragedy at Grenfell Towe r, we are aware that there are greatly differing standards and approaches adopted by different fire and rescue services across the country.

"We had hoped that one immediate response from central government would be to implement or establish an urgent review to ensure that the appropriate resources are available to firefighters attending such incidents in the future.

"This appears not to have been done, which causes us concern and alarm."

He added: “These new findings are extremely concerning.

"In the light of the terrible tragedy at Grenfell Tower, this situation is utterly unacceptable.

"We find it staggering that nothing has been done to address this grossly unjust postcode lottery of resources, and the fact that governments in all parts of the UK appear not to have even considered it is a disgrace.

"They now need to urgently instruct fire services to improve their fire and rescue planning to ensure a full and professional response to such incidents all over the UK.

"Citizens everywhere need to feel safe and confident that those in authority are taking their safety seriously.

"Anything less is, frankly, obscene."

(Image: Victoria Jones/PA Wire)

A recent investigation by BBC’s Newsnight programme found firefighters tackling the Grenfell Tower fire were hampered by problems with their equipment.

Crews reported their efforts to tackle the flames which raced across the building in the early hours of June 14, were hindered by low water pressure, radio problems and issues with breathing apparatus.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) is reported to have changed procedures since the fire, which has claimed at least 80 lives , with a high ladder now sent automatically to a fire in a block.

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