Fatal London fire caused by portable TV
Fatal London fire caused by portable TV
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Wednesday, 22, Jul 2009 04:52
A fire in a block of flats in south London which left six people dead earlier this month was caused by a portable TV set, initial forensic results show.
The devastating fire broke out at the Lakanal House flats in Camberwell on July 3rd killing a number of residents including a mother and her three-week-old baby trapped in the blaze.
The initial results of a joint investigation by the Metropolitan police, London Fire Brigade and Forensic Science Service were announced today.
Detective Inspector Rick Murphy said in a statement: "Initial results have found that the cause of the fire was an electrical fault originating in a portable TV set that was at least ten years old.
"The make and model of the TV set have not been confirmed so we will not speculate. It was in a room on the ninth floor."
He added that the London Fire Brigade advised all TV sets should be unplugged at the socket when not in use.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of those who died in the fire. The investigation continues into how the fire spread," DI Murphy commented
Police had originally claimed the fire was being treated a suspicious.
Concerns have since been raised over the safety of the building with concerns expressed at the available escape routes and fire prevention measures.
Helen Udoaka, 34, and her baby daughter Michelle died were among the victims in the blaze, as were Dayana Francisquini, 26, Filipe Francisquini, three, Catherine Hickman, 31 and an unnamed sixth person.