LONDON, Jan 31 (NNN-AGENCIES) – British police launched an investigation into a fire, which broke out on Friday afternoon, at a barracks in Kent in south-eastern England, where the British government is holding hundreds of asylum seekers, local media reported yesterday.
Asylum seekers have been temporarily moved from the barracks, which was also recently the site of a major outbreak of coronavirus, the London-based Evening Standard newspaper reported.
British Home Secretary, Priti Patel, issued a statement to slam the “appalling” damage.
According to the police, there have been no reported injuries and enquiries remain ongoing, to determine the cause of the fire and establish whether any offences have been committed.
There have been reports of suicide attempts at the barracks, and more than 18,000 people signed a petition to shut the site down, amid concerns over conditions inside, said the newspaper.
The military site has been used to house about 400 asylum seekers since Sept last year, despite concerns over conditions.
Fears for their welfare escalated this week, after 120 people are believed to have tested positive for COVID-19, said the newspaper.
