Institution of Fire Engineers releases detail of preliminary investigation into huge blaze

The fire that engulfed a Dagenham block may have started from building materials kept on the scaffolding, according to the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE).

The IFE said 鈥減reliminary investigations鈥� suggest the materials鈥� flammability, along with the scaffolding鈥檚 鈥渙pen, vertical structure鈥� may have accelerated the spread of the fire at the Spectrum 好色先生TV, which required 40 fire engines and 225 firefighters to put out.

好色先生TV safety remediation to replace high-pressure laminate panels was being carried out at the seven-storey building, which has commercial spaces on the ground floor and residential flats above.

Spectrum 好色先生TV Dagenham

How the building looked before the fire

The IFE said buildings under renovation or construction pose 鈥渦nique fire dangers鈥� that differ from completed and occupied structures.

In a blog post, it said: 鈥淔ire protection equipment such as sprinklers and alarms are frequently unavailable during construction, making the building and its surroundings vulnerable to rapid fire spread.

鈥淭he use of temporary building materials, the presence of fuels and accelerants and the lack of permanent fire prevention measures all contribute to an increased danger.鈥�

It warned scaffolding can increase the risk of fire by funnelling flames upwards. It also said scaffolding can be used to support combustible materials and can obscure escape routes and access points, while temporary wiring and equipment can become ignition sources if not adequately maintained.

>>See also: 好色先生TV Safety Regulator opens investigation into Dagenham fire

>>See also: The Grenfell Inquiry鈥檚 final report: what to look out for

An IFE spokesperson said: 鈥淭he Dagenham fire demonstrated how these risks could come together to create a rapidly escalating fire that threatens both the building under construction and adjacent properties.鈥�

The fire has also thrown a spotlight on the pace of fire safety remediation work. Official data shows there were

Deputy prime minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner last week , ahead of this week鈥檚 publication of the Grenfell Inquiry report.

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