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Tower block in fatal blaze 'was due for demolition'
Peter Dominiczak23.07.09
Council chiefs knew the south London tower block where six people died in an inferno was a fire risk a decade ago, it is claimed.
The fire on 3 July ravaged parts of the 12-storey Sixties tower block in Camberwell, killing residents including a newborn baby and her mother.
It has emerged that the fire started because of a fault in a 10-year-old portable television set on the ninth floor.
A report into the safety of Southwark's tower blocks was commissioned in 1999 after a parliamentary committee examined potential risks associated with external cladding after a fire in Scotland. The council's report in 2000 rated all five buildings on the Sceaux Gardens estate, including Lakanal House, as a medium fire risk.
Councillor Ian Wingfield said the then Labour-run council demolished four out of 13 buildings categorised as a medium fire risk but were unable to continue as the Lib-Dems came to power in 2002. The council refused to comment on his claim that the building had been due to be demolished.
Reader views (4)
Home Fire Sprinkler Systems cost less than a new carpet! Why didn't the council fit them when they knew it was a fire risk?
Why didn't they ask the London Fire Brigade who could recommend a good Sprinkler company like 'UltraSafe Fire Solutions' who have fitted Home systems for London Fire Brigade before this tradgedy!
- Mick Reilly, Doncaster
Just one more 'mistake' by the benevolent ruling class.
Why so many willing subjugate themselves to these people is quite a mystery.
- Trunk, US
as usual money over rules health and safety if the truth was known there are a lot more people living in unsafe housing
- Basil, bussiere poitevine 87320 france
If the council chiefs had prior knowledge that this building was a fire risk, yet took no action, they should be prosecuted for corporate manslaughter and disqualified from office.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
