Tower deaths prompt calls for fire safety inquiry

Communities secretary John Denham has asked the government’s chief fire and rescue adviser, Sir Ken Knight, to urgently report back on the findings of investigations into the fire at Lakanal House in Camberwell on Friday.

But Ms Harman called for a public inquiry. ’We need answers,’ she said. ‘How did the fire start, how did the fire spread so quickly and why did people get trapped? These answers are important for the families of the six people who died in the fire, but also for the residents in the neighbouring identical block who do not feel safe.’

Six people died and more than 300 people have been left homeless after the fire, which is believed to have started on the ninth floor of the block of 108 flats. All the victims were all on the 11^th floor.

‘They should pull these two buildings down. Everyone will want to move out of here.’

Local resident Ann-Marie Wright

Mr Denham has ordered Sir Ken to report to him regularly about the investigation he is doing alongside those being carried out by London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police and Southwark council.

‘While it would be wrong to draw premature conclusions before we fully understand what happened,’ Mr Denham said. ‘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.

‘That is why I have asked Sir Ken to report quickly and regularly to me as conclusions emerge from the investigations and inquiries underway.’

The evacuated tenants are staying at a temporary tenants’ hall nearby while temporary accommodation is sought for them.

It is believed Southwark council is talking to other London boroughs to help them find temporary accommodation.

Local Labour councillor Ian Wingfield also said he would be writing to the government to demand an inquiry into the cause of the fire.

Residents of the nearby Marie Curie block, which is similar to Lakanal House, spoke of their fears.

Resident Ann-Marie Wright, said: ‘I just saw the whole thing going up. I saw a woman and child on the balcony trying to work out what to do. They should pull these two buildings down. Everyone will want to move out of here.’

A father-of-three, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘I don’t feel comfortable. Everyone is scared about this building. I want to move today.’

The leader of Southwark council, councillor Nick Stanton, said: ‘The investigation in to the cause of the fire continues, and we are as anxious as anyone to know what caused the fire and why it spread like it did. But we must allow the investigators to do their job without unhelpful speculation.’

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