蜜芽传媒

The leader of Southwark Council, where the Lakanal House fire occurred in 2009, has revealed that there is still no sprinkler system in the building.

Labour Councillor Peter John told Martha Kearney "we have spent 拢62m improving fire safety across our estate" but "the government hasn't given us a blank cheque" to carry out works.

Mr John said if the government increased councils' powers "to borrow against its housing revenue account" then they could do far more.

He added: "You do not hear of tragedies like this happening in private blocks...it's a scandal."

(Photo: Fire experts in Lakanal House in 2009. Credit: Getty Images)