Leeds Beckett insist halls fire exit locked with cable ties is ‘not a fire exit’

Yesterday, pictures emerged of a fire escape that had seemingly been locked with cable ties at IQ Marsden (a private hall of residence catering for any Leeds-based students).

When asked why the fire escape was locked, a spokesperson for IQ said they are investigating the matter, leaving others to speculate if the measure was coronavirus-related.

Coronavirus lockdown at Leeds Uni – the fire exit is chained shut for the health of the students pic.twitter.com/Ojo2vb0YRb

— Leo Kearse – see me on tour! Links in bio (@LeoKearse) September 28, 2020

Fire crews from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the site and resolved the issue.

A spokesperson for Leeds Beckett University took to Twitter and denied the image depicted a locked fire exit…despite the fact a sign on the gate clearly reads, “Fire Exit.”

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Marsden House is owned and operated by @iqstudents. Although this is not a main route for student use or a fire exit, @iqstudents have now removed the cable ties from the gate.

— Leeds Beckett (@leedsbeckett) September 28, 2020

IQ Student Accommodation responded to this tweet and said: “Safety’s our priority. We’re investigating the matter & confirm the ties are removed.”

A spokesperson for IQ Student Accommodation told The Leeds Tab: “Student safety is our highest priority. We are investigating how this happened.

“ The gate is one of several escape routes from the building and is 2m away from an escape route through reception, which is staffed around the clock.

“ We have immediately increased the regular checks we make on all exits.”