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Hard wired smoke alarms and built-in fire protection measures all appeared to be working properly, according to the London Fire Brigade, when a fire on Friday killed six people – including three children – at a south east London tower block.
London fire commissioner Ron Dobson said today: “Fire engineering solutions are part of the design of all high rise buildings; these include the materials they are made of, the installation of dry risers and the structure itself. These systems worked properly, as did the hard wired smoke alarms fitted in each property. Firefighters reported that these were sounding as they dealt with the fire.”
He also acted to counter suggestions that the fire and rescue service did not have long enough ladders for the 14-storey block Lakanal House in Camberwell. “There have been some confusing suggestions made about fire engine ladders not being long enough and this is not correct. Ladders were used where appropriate, but we do not use them to put out fires above nine floors.”
Eighteen fire engines, a range of special appliances and over 100 firefighters attended the incident shortly after 4.00 pm on Friday. Fire crews equipped with extended duration breathing apparatus carried out an extensive search of the building.
Meanwhile, communities secretary John Denham has instructed the government’s chief fire and rescue adviser, Sir Ken Knight, to report back to him urgently on findings emerging from the investigations into the cause of the fire. He said:
“While it would be wrong to draw premature conclusions before we fully understand what happened, I want to reassure the public across the country that we will keep them fully informed and take any remedial action as quickly as possible.”
Sir Ken is expected to join a delegation meeting Lakanhal House tenants and representatives of the local community and emergency services later today.
London Assembly member Jenny Jones has called for a public inquiry into the fire to ascertain whether 1960s tower blocks are genuinely safe.
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