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Andy Roe, the London Fire Commissioner, has expressed deep concern over the fact that 1,300 buildings in the city remain unsafe. He described the situation as “unacceptable” and admitted he often feels anxious about the potential consequences of this ongoing risk.
In a recent interview with LBC at the Old Kent Road Fire station, Roe urged building owners to take greater responsibility for safety and called for improvements in construction practices as more high-rises are being built.
Roe emphasised the urgent need to address safety issues “Until we sort out the built environment the risk of catastrophic building failures and extreme incidents remains a real threat in the capital”. Previous incidents were mentioned including the Richmond House Fire which destroyed a block of flats and another serious fire in Wembley involving flammable cladding.
The tragic Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017, which resulted in the deaths of 72 people, highlighted systemic failures in building safety. The final report into the disaster revealed a “culmination of decades of failure” by both the government and the construction industry, pointing out a “complacent and defensive attitude” toward fire safety. The inquiry concluded with 34 new recommendations, including 13 aimed specifically at fire and rescue services. Roe confirmed that the London Fire Brigade will accept and work to implement all of these recommendations.
He reiterated his frustrations with building owners who neglect responsibilities: “We conduct regular inspections of high-rises, but until building owners take their obligations seriously and actively work to enhance safety, the challenge will remain significant.
Roe called for improved construction practices and greater accountability from builders and developers, stressing that enhancing safety standards will ultimately reduce the need for emergency responses in high-risk situations. “If we can make buildings safer from the start, we can mitigate the risks that put lives in danger” he concluded.