Lakanal fire in Camberwell - latest updates
Updates on Lakanal
For answers to your most frequent questions please read our latest information briefing from January (pdf 47.9kb). It includes items on
- the latest on the investigation
- the latest on the building and the support being given to Lakanal residents
- details on the first Lakanal coroner's pre inquest review
You can refer back to the December fire briefing (pdf 37kb).
You can also check the fire briefings from September (pdf 34kb) and October (pdf 47kb).
Fire Risk Assessments
As we are London's largest social landlord, with over 50,000 properties and over 300 high rise blocks, we take our responsibilities seriously. The responsibility to do a fire risk assessment (FRA) was transferred to local councils in 2006. We asked the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to train our staff to conduct fire risk assessments and they trained 132 Southwark housing officers.
Following the training programme a number of follow up sessions were run to support staff. Blocks over 6 storeys have had an FRA conducted by a council officer. Where we believe it is necessary we can escalate the fire risk assessment for further technical or intrusive work, carried out by external experts. We will be posting more FRAs on the website in due course, following ongoing consultation with residents.
Read some of the fire risk assessments we have conducted and the work we are carrying out in response:
Southwark Council publishes details of three fire risk assessments and its response (updated October 29)
Southwark Council has published the full fire risk assessment (FRA) reports relating to three residential blocks in the borough, along with details of the extensive work the council is carrying out in response.
The council has published FRAs for Perronet House, Castlemead and Marie Curie, all of which have been subject to an enforcement notice from the London Fire Brigade. The assessment is a comprehensive look at fire safety issues relating to each building and clearly states that the work currently being undertaken at each block will make them safer.
Perronet House (updated October 16)
Southwark Council has published details of the progress that it has made in improving fire safety at Perronet House in Southwark, including the full details of the enforcement notice served on the authority by the London Fire Brigade in August.
The move is part of the borough’s commitment to share information with residents so that they can see for themselves what the council is doing in a £4m works programme to improve fire safety.
Lakanal inquests (updated September 28)
Statement from Dr Adela Williams, acting on behalf of the Inner South London Coroner: "Sir Thayne Forbes has been confirmed as assistant deputy coroner for Southwark today (Monday, September 28), following his agreement to hear the inquests in to the six deaths arising from the fire at Lakanal on the Sceaux Gardens Estate in Camberwell in July 2009. Sir Thayne is a retired High Court judge and will bring a wealth of experience to this role."
Cllr Nick Stanton, Southwark Council Leader said: "I welcome the appointment of Sir Thayne Forbes. He has a wealth of experience in the field and a record of handling cases with sensitivity and dignity to ensure that the facts are brought before the public.
"Police and fire investigations are continuing and the council is cooperating fully. In the meantime work continues to make residents feel safe. The council has undertaken in depth inspections of similar blocks, begun a programme of fire safety works and is raising awareness of fire safety across the borough."
No date has yet been set for the inquests as the police investigation in to the fire is ongoing.
Free fire safety assessment for your home
The fire brigade can visit you at home to offer advice on how to make your home safe. To arrange a visit please call 08000 284428 or go to their home fire safety webpage
Public enquiry - council motion (updated July 9)
On the evening of Wednesday July 8 a motion was passed at Council Assembly about the fire at Lakanal. Details of the motion and statements from the Leader of the Council and the Executive Member for Housing can be found below:
Donations
We would like to thank all local residents and visitors for their generous donations so far. In response to requests from the public to offer their support, Southwark Council is now accepting donations at the following places:
- Peckham Cash Office 19 -23 Bournemouth Road, Peckham, London SE15 4UJ (cash, cheque and debit card)
- Walworth Cash Office,177-179 Walworth Road, Walworth, London SE17 1RW (cash, cheque and debit card)
- Peckham One Stop Shop, Ground Floor, Peckham Library, 122 Peckham Hill Street, Peckham, London SE15 5JR (cash and cheque)
- Walworth One Stop Shop, Wansey Street, Walworth, London SE17 1OY (cash and cheque)
- Bermondsey One Stop Shop, 17 Spa Road, Bermondsey, London SE16 3QN (cash and cheque)
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