Fatal Tower Block Fire Blamed On TV Fault!! Breaking News

Fatal Tower Block Fire Blamed On TV Fault

A fire which killed six people in a tower block was started by an electrical fault in an old television, police have confirmed.

The portable TV set, which was at least 10 years old, caught fire after being left plugged in on the ninth floor of the building in Camberwell, south London.

The Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and Forensic Science Service launched an inquiry after the blaze swept through Lakanal House on July 3.

Detective Inspector Rick Murphy said: "Initial results have found that the cause of the fire was an electrical fault originating in a portable TV set that was at least 10 years old.

"The make and model of the television set have not been confirmed so we will not speculate. It was in a room on the ninth floor."

He added: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of those who died in the fire. The investigation continues into how the fire spread."

Assistant Commissioner Steve Turek of the London Fire Brigade said the initial findings of the investigation highlighted the importance of fire safety.

He said: "Our advice is that all TV sets should be unplugged at the socket when not in use."

Dayana Francisquini, 26, and her children, six-year-old Thais, and Filipe, three, were among the victims of the fire.

Helen Udoaka, 34, her three-week-old daughter Michelle and 31-year-old Catherine Hickman also died.

Following the blaze, local Labour MP Harriet Harman backed calls for a public inquiry into fire safety in high-rise buildings.

Several residents described the complicated layout of the tower block as "a maze" which made the evacuation process difficult.

He added: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the families of those who died in the fire. The investigation continues into how the fire spread."

Assistant Commissioner Steve Turek of the London Fire Brigade said the initial findings of the investigation highlighted the importance of fire safety.

He said: "Our advice is that all TV sets should be unplugged at the socket when not in use."

Dayana Francisquini, 26, and her children, six-year-old Thais, and Filipe, three, were among the victims of the fire.

Helen Udoaka, 34, her three-week-old daughter Michelle and 31-year-old Catherine Hickman also died.

Following the blaze, local Labour MP Harriet Harman backed calls for a public inquiry into fire safety in high-rise buildings.

Several residents described the complicated layout of the tower block as "a maze" which made the evacuation process difficult.