Safety review folllows fatal tower block inferno (From Daily Echo)

Safety review folllows fatal tower block inferno

9:45am Tuesday 28th July 2009 in

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HOUSING chiefs in Southampton say they are confident they have done all they can to protect tower block residents from being trapped in a Camberwell-style inferno.

Documents obtained by the Daily Echo reveal Southampton City Council has launched a fire safety review of its 16 tower blocks following the death of six people on the 11th floor of the 12-storey Lakanal House in south London.

Hampshire fashion designer Catherine Hickman, 31, who had already cheated death in the 9/ll New York terror attack, was among the victims.

All tower blocks in Southampton have now been checked for obstructions to exits and stairwells, as seven have only one emergency stairwell. Fire doors have also been checked.

Housing chiefs have also ordered that fire warning signs be up to date, that block wardens seize and remove any gas cylinders and that all tenants get letters reminding them what to do in a fire.

The council is also making sure tenants who have changed their doors haven’t created fire hazards and that fire risk assessments will be revised if necessary.

The council says that Hampshire Fire Service has found no “service failures or issues” with its tower blocks.

It said the fire service has backed its “stay put policy” which means in the event of fire all tenants should remain in their flats until they are advised it is safe to leave.

A spokesman for Hamp-shire Fire Service said tower blocks generally had a good level of fire safety, although suffered occasional fires.

“An investigation is under way in Camberwell. Once the findings of are made known, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will ensure that any lessons learned will be shared with stakeholders.”