HOUSING is looking to step up security at the Bouet after a fire at the weekend forced Les Cottonniers residents to be evacuated.

They were some of the last tenants remaining at the estate, as they wait to be moved out of the block, in a wider demolition and regeneration programme taking place on the estate.

Deputy Housing minister Graham Guille said the department was deeply upset at what took place at the weekend, but added that unfortunately it was not a new problem for the area.

‘The last thing we want is for our tenants to be fearing for their lives.’

It is believed that youngsters started the small blaze on Friday night when mattresses at the side of an empty house on the edge of one block were set alight.

‘We are in the process of moving people from these buildings, but the problem is that every time we move some more out, the ones who are left are feeling more vulnerable,’ said Deputy Guille.

‘But we are doing it as fast as possible. In the meantime we are liaising with the police to see what we can do about the security, as well as talking to the fire service about what safety arrangements we can make.’

A massive clearing process was also going to take place to remove items such as discarded furniture which could be used as fuel by someone with a set of matches, added Deputy Guille.