Southwark Council publishes online fire risk register
Published 15 July 2010
Residents in Southwark now have access to an online register of fire risk reports.
New cabinet member for housing, Councillor Ian Wingfield, has given local people the chance to access the council's comprehensive bank of information about the fire safety of its blocks.
Cllr Wingfield revealed the plans last month and you can now access the online register
This fire risk register lists all of the council's buildings and when an inspection was last carried out.
Residents can also request to see the risk assessment in full, which will include important information on what risks, if any, were found and what work is being done to address them.
Fire risk inspections
The council has completed a programme of invasive inspections on all its high rises. These assessed the fabric of the building, under ceilings and behind walls.
Following the inspections, works are commissioned to address any risks. In 2009/10, the council allocated £4 million for fire safety works that resulted from these checks. The council has now put aside a further £5 million a year for the next three years.
We have also signed a memorandum of understanding with the London Fire Brigade, which commits the two organisations to closer working and a common goal of promoting fire safety.
Background to the fire risk register
The register is a working document both in terms of content and format. The aim is to develop and update it as required, and in response to user feedback.
Further risk assessments for homes that are part of Tenant Managed Organisations or sheltered housing units will be added soon.
The fire at Lakanal
What happened?
On 3 July 2009, a fire broke out in a 14 storey high rise block, called Lakanal House, in Camberwell, south London. More than 100 fire fighters, with 18 fire engines fought to extinguish the fire. It took six hours to get the fire under control. There were six fatalities.
Some 20 people, including one fireman, were admitted to hospital for smoke inhalation and minor injuries. More than 250 residents were left homeless on that evening. In the immediate aftermath the council - with the help of the Red Cross and local residents - set up a rest centre to provide food, drink and medical support. It then made sure all the residents had temporary accommodation in a range of hostels, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and with relatives.
Early findings from the police investigation suggested the cause of the fire was an electrical fault in a TV set on the ninth floor.
What is the latest on the investigation?
The complex police investigation is continuing and the council is cooperating fully with all the different agencies who are involved. Everyone is anxious to find out why the fire spread as it did. We hope that the investigation will be concluded before long so that residents can get some answers.
What happened to the residents?
As of January 2010 all residents have either been re-housed or have made their own arrangements for new accommodation.
Last year's fire was a tragedy but it has brought residents together and, from the rest centres to their contribution to the Sceaux Gardens art project, their response has been nothing short of humbling.
What is the latest on the building?
For practical and legal reasons, Lakanal needs to be preserved in its current state until the police investigation concludes. A decision on its future will be informed by the results of those proceedings and will require input from all relevant stakeholders.
