Months of uncertainty and speculation over the future of the eastern leg of HS2 appeared to finally end last year with the publication of the government’s
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Timber decking is believed to have contributed to a fire spreading across three floors of a London residential block last month.
Fire broke out at Ballymore’s New Providence Wharf block in Poplar on 7 May. The building, which was completed in 2005, has ACM cladding on it, but this did not contribute to the spread of the fire, according to a preliminary report from the London Fire Brigade. Timber decking used on the balconies is believed to have helped flames spread from the eighth to the eleventh floor of the block.
The LFB’s investigation found other building safety failures, however, with ventilation systems failing and allowing communal areas to fill with smoke. Firefighters used smoke hoods to evacuate more than 20 people. One person was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation while another was taken for treatment for minor burns. A further 35 people were examined by paramedics at the scene.
As the fourth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire approaches,
Greg Pitcher examines whether construction work is much better today than at the time of the tragedy
The fire caused outrage and prompted the government to commission Dame Judith’s review of the sector. It also led to new laws on combustible materials, the drafting of a fresh bill to tackle wider issues, and an ongoing public inquiry.
Some fear there are still major lessons to be learned, while others say attitudes are changing and that the government is helping ensure a safer system emerges. So how far have we really come since the blaze that claimed 72 lives in June 2017?