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Council 'was aware of tower block fire risk'

The local council responsible for a tower block in which six residents died last month knew the building was a fire risk, it has been reported.

According to the BBC, an investigation revealed that Southwark Council had indentified Lakanal House in Camberwell as a potential danger as long ago as 2000, when a survey of 200 blocks was carried out.

It is also reported that the building had been scheduled for demolition, but the order was revoked when the Liberal Democrats took control of the council.

BBC London found that the Camberwell block was identified as a medium fire risk, which means "elements of construction may pose a fire risk, or a risk of fire spread".

All five buildings on the Sceaux Gardens estate, including Lakanal House, were placed in this category.

Architect Sam Webb recently claimed that over half of all local authority tower blocks in the UK are an accident waiting to happen, reports the Architect's Journal.

Quantum Risk Management are leading Health and Safety Consultants

Posted on 04/08/2009

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