Regulator seeks information following fatal blaze
Fire deaths prompt tower block survey
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The Tenant Services Authority has written to housing associations asking how many blocks they have similar to the one in London where six people died this month.
Three children were amongst those trapped on the 11th floor of the ‘scissor style’ Lakanal House tower block in Camberwell on 3 July.
In his letter chief executive of the TSA Peter Marsh says: ‘Under the circumstances, I would be grateful if you would take the necessary steps to let us know how many blocks you have in your ownership where your assessment is that the design features of concern are, or may be, present.
‘If you do have such blocks, can you please provide details to your regulation account manager at the TSA.’
He attaches the letter sent out by Terrie Alafat, the Communities and Local Government department’s head of housing delivery and homelessness, on 10 July warning about features in blocks such as Southwark’s 14-storey Lakanal House.
‘Where the internal staircase [in the flats] passes over the [common] corridor it cuts through the enclosure to the common corridor presenting a potential breach in the fire resisting construction above the ceiling,’ Ms Alafat wrote.
‘This could allow a fire in one of the flats to burn through the timber stair and spread to the ceiling void.’
Mr Marsh tells housing associations in his letter this week that the regulator needs the information to tell Communities and Local Government how many buildings like Lakanal House there are.
He also says the TSA wants to know so it can advise organisations affected about any relevant developments in the investigations into the Camberwell fire.
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