2009 Lakanal House tower block fire
Encyclopedia
The 2009 Lakanal House tower block fire was a fire that occurred on 3 July 2009 in Camberwell
. London
. Six people were killed and at least 20 people were injured when a fire developed and spread through a number of flats in a twelve storey tower block
.
, in whose constituency the flats lie, announced that there would be a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and whether or not there were adequate fire prevention measures.
A number of tower blocks of a similar design exist, such as the nearby Perronet House
, also in Southwark. Perronet however has 2 staircases. Marie Curie House nearby is of identical design to Lakanal.
Nick Stanton, the then leader of Southwark Council said that it could be "days if not weeks" before tenants would be able to return to their homes. Mayor of London
Boris Johnson
described the fire as an "horrendous incident" and announced an investigation into the design of the building, which has a single central staircase. London Assembly
Planning and Housing Committee chairwoman Jenny Jones
called for a public inquiry
into the fire. Communities Secretary
John Denham asked for an urgent report from the Government's Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor. At a meeting of Southwark Council, Cllr Ian Wingfield called for a "full and independent public enquiry" into the fire. The Fire Brigades Union
supported the call for a public inquiry.
Camberwell
Camberwell is a district of south London, England, and forms part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is a built-up inner city district located southeast of Charing Cross. To the west it has a boundary with the London Borough of Lambeth.-Toponymy:...
. London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Six people were killed and at least 20 people were injured when a fire developed and spread through a number of flats in a twelve storey tower block
Tower block
A tower block, high-rise, apartment tower, office tower, apartment block, or block of flats, is a tall building or structure used as a residential and/or office building...
.
Background
About 50 people were evacuated to nearby Welton Hall. Around 150 people were evacuated or rescued from the flats. Some of them found alternative accommodation with relatives although the majority were provided with accommodation by Southwark Council. Residents of the flats criticised the layout of the flats which did not provide easy egress in case of an emergency. The flats also lacked a central fire alarm system which are not required by virtue of the current guidance, Approved Document B for England And Wales. The guidance prevalent at the time of the construction of buildings of this age are far removed from the current state of regulation and control under Building Regulations. There had been calls in 2006 for the flats to be demolished. It was claimed that the residents had been told that the flats could not be demolished as they were a listed building. Harriet HarmanHarriet Harman
Harriet Ruth Harman QC is a British Labour Party politician, who is the Member of Parliament for Camberwell and Peckham, and was MP for the predecessorPeckham constituency from 1982 to 1997...
, in whose constituency the flats lie, announced that there would be a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and whether or not there were adequate fire prevention measures.
A number of tower blocks of a similar design exist, such as the nearby Perronet House
Perronet House
Perronet House is an 11-storey residential council tower block adjacent to the northern roundabout of the Elephant and Castle, in London.-Design and Layout:...
, also in Southwark. Perronet however has 2 staircases. Marie Curie House nearby is of identical design to Lakanal.
Nick Stanton, the then leader of Southwark Council said that it could be "days if not weeks" before tenants would be able to return to their homes. Mayor of London
Mayor of London
The Mayor of London is an elected politician who, along with the London Assembly of 25 members, is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London. Conservative Boris Johnson has held the position since 4 May 2008...
Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
described the fire as an "horrendous incident" and announced an investigation into the design of the building, which has a single central staircase. London Assembly
London Assembly
The London Assembly is an elected body, part of the Greater London Authority, that scrutinises the activities of the Mayor of London and has the power, with a two-thirds majority, to amend the mayor's annual budget. The assembly was established in 2000 and is headquartered at City Hall on the south...
Planning and Housing Committee chairwoman Jenny Jones
Jenny Jones (Green politician)
Jenny Jones is an English politician and prominent member of the Green Party of England and Wales. She currently represents the Green Party in the London Assembly, and is standing to be Mayor of London in the 2012 elections. She was Deputy Mayor of London from May 2003 to June 2004...
called for a public inquiry
Public inquiry
A Tribunal of Inquiry is an official review of events or actions ordered by a government body in Common Law countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland or Canada. Such a public inquiry differs from a Royal Commission in that a public inquiry accepts evidence and conducts its hearings in a more...
into the fire. Communities Secretary
Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, is a Cabinet position heading the UK's Department for Communities and Local Government....
John Denham asked for an urgent report from the Government's Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor. At a meeting of Southwark Council, Cllr Ian Wingfield called for a "full and independent public enquiry" into the fire. The Fire Brigades Union
Fire Brigades Union
The Fire Brigades Union is a trade union in the United Kingdom for wholetime Firefighters , Retained Duty System and Emergency Control Room staff...
supported the call for a public inquiry.