As smoke poured out of a window at Lancashire Hill last week, people living in the area watched on with confusion and worry.

Fire engines from across Greater Manchester and an aerial appliance from Bolton Central fire station attended the scene of a bedroom fire in the Bentleys apartment building.

It was the second fire on the estate this month, and came just a week after Stockport council said it would investigate serious fire safety concerns in four apartment blocks in the neighbourhood.

The 1960s estate is the most deprived in Greater Manchester, and people living there say it is not getting the investment it needs.

Green Party Councillor James Frizzell said at a council meeting last week that there has been 'serious mismanagement' at Lancashire Hill by Stockport Homes, the social housing landlord which is owned by the council.

He said in four of the blocks at Lancashire Hill – Clarkethorne Terrace, The Longsons, The Bentleys, and Stonemill Terrace – there are staff patrolling 24-hours a day because of fire safety concerns, including 'the absence of fire doors in key locations' and issues with ventilation systems.

It came along with a change in fire protocol at the four blocks in the event of an incident, from 'stay put' to 'simultaneous evacuation.'

Stockport Homes said safety at the estate is an 'absolute priority' and that it is already carrying out repairs at the blocks.

During the fire at the Bentleys this week, Stockport Homes explained that its fire safety measures were activated, and the block was safely evacuated.

It is working with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service as they investigate the cause of the fire, and said initial indications show that the 'likely start point of the fire was a laptop charger in a flat.'

Last week's fire followed a blaze earlier in January at a high-rise tower block on the estate.

Cllr Frizzell said the previous incident was caused by a blocked bin chute – which was reported by residents 'on Boxing Day and December 30' – two weeks earlier.

People living in Lancashire Hill say they're frightened a 'catastrophe' could happen due to the fire safety concerns, with some saying they've lost all faith in their landlord Stockport Homes and are living in fear.

A mum-of-four living in Stonemill Terrace, in a flat on the third floor, said anger is brewing on the estate over the situation.

The 37-year-old, who did not want her name published, said: "We're so worried about this, it's so easy for a fire to happen in places like this, it's quite scary, I don't feel safe.

"Some of the windows don't open, there's no ventilation. If a fire happens then what are we supposed to do?

"It's at the point where we're just living in survival mode and just waiting to see the next thing that happens.

"Stockport Homes are not doing anything they should be doing, why are they still in control of the estate? It's gone so downhill in the last four years especially.

"Are they waiting for someone to die before they do anything?"

Another resident, 51-year-old Damien, lives on the top floor of the Longsons building.

He said: "It is really scary, I don't want to be here, I want to get out, but when you're here you're trapped.

"No one really trusts Stockport Homes to fix things. There could be a catastrophe here, we've had fires start on stairwells before. I've been here for 15 years and nothing has changed for the better."

Stockport Homes is an arms length management organisation (ALMO) – which means it is owned by the council but operates independently.

It was set up in 2005 and now manages more than 12,000 properties on behalf of Stockport council and private landlords.

Helen McHale is chief executive at Stockport Homes and helped set it up 20 years ago, but she recently announced plans to retire.

Stockport Homes has faced criticism from residents when things go wrong, but many people living in Lancashire Hill point out that staff on the ground are trying their best in difficult circumstances.

Zindy Holmes, 64, is a resident who lives in the Bentleys building and said: "I've been here for six months, it's really scary [the fire of risk] with me being disabled, I've had an operation on my left knee. My anxiety is so high now.

"The staff at Stockport Homes were good after the fire this week, they called me twice to check I was okay, I salute them."

Councillors in Stockport have raised major concerns about how Stockport Homes is managing Lancashire Hill, with fire safety at the front of many elected members' minds.

"Lives being in danger here is my worry, and it's the concern of other councillors who have got high rises managed by Stockport Homes in their wards," said Coun Frizzell.

Lancashire Hill is on the edge of Stockport town centre, but it falls into the Reddish South ward which is held by three Green Party Councillors, including Mr Frizzell.

He added: "It's a worry, that's all I can say, this is what sleepless nights are made of.

"People are being let down, none of this should have happened, these buildings should have been up to code, the fabric of the building should have been robust enough so that the fire protocol didn't have to change.

"I think it's mismanagement to have all this sudden flurry of work that's had to take place, employing people very quickly to put this guard, it shows what a precarious situation my residents have been landed in, it's always one thing after another."

After the fire this week at the Bentleys building, Coun Frizzell said he went to inspect the block and found a light not working in one of the stairwells.

Although it may seem a minor issue, he said it could have been a major hazard in a fire evacuation at night if people can't see where to go in a high-stress emergency situation.

Stockport Homes said it is actively investigating the cause of the faulty light in The Bentleys, including whether it was damaged during the fire or as part of the Fire and Rescue Service's response, and that the issue has been identified and will be 'repaired immediately'.

Another problem this week hit residents in Pendlebury Tower who on Wednesday night found their water supply not working, going off at 8pm and not coming back until around 12 hours later in the morning, Coun Frizzell said.

He added: "There's young families and vulnerable people in that building, 12 hours without hot or cold water is too long.

"These issues are compounding, they're piled up one on top of the other, because in my opinion the fabric of the buildings has been let go too far, there has been too little spend on maintaining this estate.

"Money gets spent elsewhere, it gets spent on other tower blocks, in other areas of Stockport on Stockport Homes stock, I don't know why Lancashire Hill seems to be the exception.

"It's complete mismanagement on behalf of Stockport Homes, my confidence [in them] is low at the moment."

As concern grows about a lack of investment at Lancashire Hill, just down the road in Stockport town centre a £1bn regeneration project is taking place.

It has brought a new transport interchange to the town, new apartment blocks, and new spaces for shops and businesses – with loads more work on the way.

Many in Lancashire Hill have watched the changes taking place in the town centre while experiencing problems in their own buildings.

Other councillors in Stockport said they've lost all confidence in Stockport Homes to turn the situation at Lancashire Hill around.

Asa Caton is a Councillor in the Edgeley ward where Stockport Homes manage buildings, including Hollywood Towers.

Asked about the fire concerns at Lancashire Hill, Cllr Caton said: "Lives are in danger, or Stockport Homes Group would not have deployed [24/7] security, they would have fixed the issues. This suggests there is something more fundamental to resolve.

"I don't have any confidence in Stockport Homes, I'm also concerned that they have been through an independent review for six months and not one of these issues were uncovered.

"What else remains unknown, and how can we trust Stockport Homes to address it?

"Residents are being let down on several fronts. Fire safety is obviously the most critical but the problem only mirrors other issues that get raised to councillors across the borough regularly."

Councillor Christine Carrigan is the leader of Stockport Labour group, the official opposition at the council.

She said: "After two fires in January, it's completely understandable that residents at Lancashire Hill are worried about their safety.

"When problems are identified with basic fire safety measures like fire doors, that is deeply concerning because this is about protecting lives. No one should feel unsafe in their own home, and residents' concerns must be taken seriously.

"The council's investigation is the right step, but it is frustrating that action appears to be happening only after serious incidents have taken place. What matters now is real accountability and clear, visible improvements on the ground."

Cllr Carrigan said changes at Stockport Homes, such as a new chief executive coming in, could lead to progress being made over the issues at Lancashire Hill.

At Stockport Homes, Carmel Chambers was announced in December as the person who will take over as the new chief executive.

Ms Chambers has been serving as deputy chief executive and first joined Stockport Homes Group in 2006.

Cllr Carrigan added: "Some of the changes agreed are already starting to happen, which is welcome, and with Carmel Chambers now in post as chief executive I am hopeful that this progress will continue.

"As leader of the opposition, I will do everything I can to support a stronger and more effective working relationship between the council, elected members, residents and Stockport Homes, because that is how trust is rebuilt and residents' safety is properly looked after."

Stockport town hall is led by the Lib Dems under a minority administration.

Cllr Jake Austin, the council's cabinet member for housing and environment, said there are major concerns about the issues at Lancashire Hill.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It was deeply concerning to learn about the issues around Lancashire Hill, and we are disappointed that Stockport Homes are in this position.

"We have acted quickly and decisively – working with Stockport Homes and the Building Safety Regulator to address immediate concerns.

"This administration believes the safety of our residents is paramount, and we are confident following feedback from the fire service that the ongoing actions to address fire safety in Lancashire Hill are effective and proper.

"It is important that we understand exactly how Stockport Homes arrived at this point.

"We have written to the chair to request their assistance in the full and independent investigation we have instigated into how this situation was allowed to develop, so we can ensure this does not happen again.

"It would not be appropriate to second-guess the results of that independent investigation – but we will ensure full transparency throughout the process so that the lessons can be learned.

"While we will ensure the safety of our residents is maintained through the ongoing action-plan to reduce risk at Lancashire Hill, wider investment into the area, the most deprived across Greater Manchester, is desperately needed.

"It is but one of many reasons we have consistently called on government to provide the fair and appropriate funding Stockport needs to deliver its regeneration."

A Stockport Homes spokesperson said: "We understand how concerning this situation is for residents at Lancashire Hill and recognise the anxiety it may cause.

"The safety of residents is our absolute priority. We are already carrying out the necessary repairs, and a 24‑hour safety patrol and full evacuation procedure are in place to keep people safe until the improvements are completed.

"We are working closely with fire safety specialists, the emergency services and other relevant partners to ensure that all appropriate measures are in place.

"Stockport Homes and SMBC [Stockport council] will continue to work closely together to plan any future investment into Lancashire Hill and we will continue to keep residents fully informed, and work closely with them to ensure that safety standards are met and maintained at all times. "

Stockport Homes and Stockport council were both asked to confirm who is the Accountable Person responsible for fire and structural safety at Lancashire Hill.

They were also asked if anyone at the council or Stockport Homes have been held responsible for the fire safety concerns at Lancashire Hill.

These questions were not answered in their responses.