Six people were killed, and at least 20 injured, when a high-rise fire, caused by a faulty television set, developed and spread through a number of flats in the twelve-storey building.

[6][7] The central stairwell, the only way in and out of the building, was filled quickly with thick dark smoke, and an operational command centre was erected on the seventh floor.

[10] The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the fire, which was initially treated as "suspicious"[6] but was later said to be due to an electrical fault in a television set.

[9][needs update] It was revealed that Lakanal House had been identified as being at risk of enabling a fire to spread if one should occur in one of the flats.

The inquest concluded that substandard renovations had removed fire-stopping material between flats, breaking compartmentation, and safety inspections carried out by Southwark council had not uncovered this problem.

The flats also lacked a central fire alarm system, which was not required by virtue of the current Building Regulations Approved Document B for England And Wales.

Harriet Harman, in whose constituency the flats lie, announced that there would be a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire, and whether or not there were adequate fire-prevention measures.

[9][17][18] Mayor of London Boris Johnson described the fire as an "horrendous incident" and announced an investigation into the design of the building, which has a single central staircase.

[15] London Assembly Planning and Housing Committee chairwoman Jenny Jones called for a public inquiry into the fire.

[5] Communities Secretary John Denham asked for an urgent report from the government's Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor.

[19] At a meeting of Southwark Council, Councillor Ian Wingfield called for a "full and independent public inquiry" into the fire.