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| Council knew tower was fire risk | Council knew tower was fire risk |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| Southwark Council knew a south London tower block where six people died was a fire risk, a BBC London investigation has discovered. | Southwark Council knew a south London tower block where six people died was a fire risk, a BBC London investigation has discovered. |
| In 2000 the council surveyed 200 tower blocks, identifying 13 that "may pose a fire risk or risk of a fire spread". | In 2000 the council surveyed 200 tower blocks, identifying 13 that "may pose a fire risk or risk of a fire spread". |
| Four of the 13 buildings were then demolished - but Lakanal House in Camberwell, gutted by fire on 3 July, was allowed to remain inhabited. | Four of the 13 buildings were then demolished - but Lakanal House in Camberwell, gutted by fire on 3 July, was allowed to remain inhabited. |
| Southwark Council said it carried out works in 2007 to improve fire safety. | Southwark Council said it carried out works in 2007 to improve fire safety. |
| BBC London has obtained the report into the safety of Southwark's tower blocks that was commissioned in 2000 by a parliamentary committee investigating a fire at a building in Scotland. | BBC London has obtained the report into the safety of Southwark's tower blocks that was commissioned in 2000 by a parliamentary committee investigating a fire at a building in Scotland. |
| The council's report rated all five buildings on the Sceaux Gardens estate, including Lakanal House, as a medium fire risk - "where elements of construction may pose a fire risk, or a risk of fire spread." | The council's report rated all five buildings on the Sceaux Gardens estate, including Lakanal House, as a medium fire risk - "where elements of construction may pose a fire risk, or a risk of fire spread." |
| We do not believe it should take a serious fire in which many people are killed before reasonable steps are taken towards minimising risks Parliamentary tower block inquiry, 1999 The 1999 cladding fire report in full | We do not believe it should take a serious fire in which many people are killed before reasonable steps are taken towards minimising risks Parliamentary tower block inquiry, 1999 The 1999 cladding fire report in full |
| Lakanal House had a "risk of localised fire spread between wall panelled sections", the report carried out by Southwark Building Design Service said. | Lakanal House had a "risk of localised fire spread between wall panelled sections", the report carried out by Southwark Building Design Service said. |
| Further assessment of all the blocks on the Sceaux Gardens estate "may be of benefit", it added. | Further assessment of all the blocks on the Sceaux Gardens estate "may be of benefit", it added. |
| Lakanal House was due to be demolished under the council's Labour administration. | Lakanal House was due to be demolished under the council's Labour administration. |
| But Labour councillor Ian Wingfield told the BBC that when the council changed hands to Liberal Democrat the new administration decided to keep Lakanal House. | But Labour councillor Ian Wingfield told the BBC that when the council changed hands to Liberal Democrat the new administration decided to keep Lakanal House. |
| In a statement Southwark Council said the 2000 report found "no high risk blocks" in the area. | In a statement Southwark Council said the 2000 report found "no high risk blocks" in the area. |
| 'Total scandal' | 'Total scandal' |
| One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "It is a total scandal. | One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "It is a total scandal. |
| "Once all the facts come out people will be shocked. I just wish my partner was not dead - I am a mess." | "Once all the facts come out people will be shocked. I just wish my partner was not dead - I am a mess." |
| Maria Trindade, who survived the fire but lost her 26-year-old friend Dayana Francisquini, added: "I feel really angry. They knew the block was a danger for all the tenants but did nothing. | Maria Trindade, who survived the fire but lost her 26-year-old friend Dayana Francisquini, added: "I feel really angry. They knew the block was a danger for all the tenants but did nothing. |
| This is exactly why a public inquiry into the fire is essential Harriet Harman, Labour Party deputy leader Faulty television caused fire | This is exactly why a public inquiry into the fire is essential Harriet Harman, Labour Party deputy leader Faulty television caused fire |
| "I spoke to Dayana the morning she lost her life - I had no idea in a couple of hours she would be dead." | "I spoke to Dayana the morning she lost her life - I had no idea in a couple of hours she would be dead." |
| After the 2000 report, Southwark Council did not act for seven years. | After the 2000 report, Southwark Council did not act for seven years. |
| But in 2007 they replaced some window frames and wall panels in an attempt to improve safety. | But in 2007 they replaced some window frames and wall panels in an attempt to improve safety. |
| BBC London's questions about how many windows and panels were replaced and which materials were used have not been answered. | BBC London's questions about how many windows and panels were replaced and which materials were used have not been answered. |
| The council also refused to confirm whether a new fire assessment was done after the refurbishment. | The council also refused to confirm whether a new fire assessment was done after the refurbishment. |
| Ms Francisquini said her replacement window frames were plastic, not non-flammable aluminium. | Ms Francisquini said her replacement window frames were plastic, not non-flammable aluminium. |
| 'Toxic fumes' | 'Toxic fumes' |
| Architect Sam Webb, an expert in the safety of post-war social housing, raised the possibility that melting plastic windows helped spread the fire downwards. | Architect Sam Webb, an expert in the safety of post-war social housing, raised the possibility that melting plastic windows helped spread the fire downwards. |
| After visiting the scene on 6 July, he said: "All the facades and window frames were replaced with flammable uPVC which melts in fire, releasing toxic fumes. | After visiting the scene on 6 July, he said: "All the facades and window frames were replaced with flammable uPVC which melts in fire, releasing toxic fumes. |
| "I am not sure how that was ever allowed on such a high block and it was undoubtedly a major cause of the fire spread." | "I am not sure how that was ever allowed on such a high block and it was undoubtedly a major cause of the fire spread." |
| Bob Wilkinson, a firefighter with 20 years experience in London, said: "I would be very annoyed that they knew it was unsafe but did nothing about it. | Bob Wilkinson, a firefighter with 20 years experience in London, said: "I would be very annoyed that they knew it was unsafe but did nothing about it. |
| He added: "Common sense says they should have done something." | He added: "Common sense says they should have done something." |
| The report carried out by Southwark Council was requested by a parliamentary committee in 1999 after a 14-storey block in Scotland "went up like a match", killing a disabled resident. | The report carried out by Southwark Council was requested by a parliamentary committee in 1999 after a 14-storey block in Scotland "went up like a match", killing a disabled resident. |
| That fire was blamed on external cladding which led to "unexpectedly rapid fire spread". | That fire was blamed on external cladding which led to "unexpectedly rapid fire spread". |
| 'Complex fire' | 'Complex fire' |
| The committee warned there could be "a disaster waiting to happen", and concluded: "We do not believe it should take a serious fire in which many people are killed before all reasonable steps are taken towards minimising risks." | The committee warned there could be "a disaster waiting to happen", and concluded: "We do not believe it should take a serious fire in which many people are killed before all reasonable steps are taken towards minimising risks." |
| Harriet Harman, Labour Party deputy leader and MP for Camberwell and Peckham, said she would raise the revelations with Communities Secretary John Denham. | Harriet Harman, Labour Party deputy leader and MP for Camberwell and Peckham, said she would raise the revelations with Communities Secretary John Denham. |
| She said: "This is exactly why a public inquiry into the fire is essential." | She said: "This is exactly why a public inquiry into the fire is essential." |
| A statement from Southwark Council said: "The safety and well being of our residents is a priority for the council and we reject any allegation that we do not take these responsibilities seriously. | |
| "The fire at Lakanal was complex with a number of issues that are being investigated by a number of authorities, including the council." | "The fire at Lakanal was complex with a number of issues that are being investigated by a number of authorities, including the council." |