London borough ordered to pay £570k in fines and costs after tower block fire
The London Borough of Southwark has been fined £270,000 and ordered to pay £300,000 in costs over safety failings at a tower block.
The council was prosecuted by the London Fire Brigade after the fire at Lakanal House on 3 July 2009, when six people, including three children, died.
Southwark pleaded guilty to four offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire) Safety Order at Southwark Crown Court.
The London Fire Brigade said its prosecution was based not on the fire itself but on the risk posed to the building’s residents before 3 July 2009 as a result of the pre-existing fire safety deficiencies in the block.
The main concerns raised by inspectors and which formed the basis of the four charges against Southwark were:
- Failure to make a fire assessment
- Allowing breaches of fire resistant structure between each maisonette staircase and the common internal doors
- Allowing fire loading and a lack of compartmentation in the false ceiling structure of internal corridors
- Failure to provide fitted strips and smoke seals on fire doors including flat front doors
Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety Dan Daly of the London Fire Brigade said: “The fire at Lakanal House was a particularly harrowing incident and our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of those who died. Bringing this prosecution against Southwark Council has been about ensuring lessons are learned so we can reduce the likelihood of such a devastating fire ever happening again.
“All landlords, including large housing providers, such as councils and housing associations, have a clear responsibility under the law to ensure that their premises meet all fire safety requirements and are effectively maintained to provide protection in the event of a fire and keep their residents safe.
“We want them to take the opportunity provided by this court case to remind themselves of exactly what their fire safety responsibilities are under the law and to ensure that everyone in their premises is safe from the risk of fire.”
Cllr Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: "We fully accept the decision of the judge and the fine he has imposed. Some have talked about the need for this case to act as a warning to others, but for us the death of six residents is a stark reminder every day of the terrible cost of failings at Lakanal.
"Once again I can only apologise for the council's role in this tragedy. We have since invested £62m to make our homes safer, and would urge all landlords to ensure their homes are safe so a tragedy like Lakanal is never repeated."
