Fire brigade wrote to all London councils warning about the risks of external cladding on tower blocks just weeks before Grenfell fire

LONDON fire brigade warned all 33 councils in the capital about the risks of cladding on tower blocks just TWO months before the Grenfell fire.

Councils across the country have been testing materials on their own buildings – all of which have failed fire safety tests so far.

The cladding, which is thought to have played a key part in spreading the fire in the West London tower block, is present on buildings across the UK.

that tests on panels from another high rise block that caught fire in Shepherd’s Bush last August showed that the cladding helped spread the blaze.

to review the cladding on their blocks and take action to mitigate any risks.

The Grenfell fire was started by a faulty fridge freezer, it was reported this week.

But last year’s blaze was caused by a fault tumble dryer – the fire spread up six floors.

And afterwards, the London fire brigade urged councils to monitor “all aspects of future replacement and improvement of building facades” including panels.

Councils were strongly advises to ensure all works complied to building regulations and make sure information was available to risk assessors.

The letter said: “On testing it was found that panels may deform or delaminate exposing any combustible core or constituent material resulting in the panel becoming involved in the fire and allowing the fire to spread and enter flats other than the flat of origin of the fire.”

The BBC asked Kensington and Chelsea Council – which was responsible for Grenfell tower – what action they took after the letter.

They replied: “The Council is committed to co-operating fully with both the public inquiry and the criminal investigation.

“We do not think it is right to make comments relevant to the inquiry or subject to the investigation until this issue has been discussed with the police and the solicitors to the public inquiry once they have been appointed.”

It emerged this week that No 10 doesn’t know if the cladding which is blamed for spreading the fire is legal, as 95 high rises failed fire safety tests.

Some have had to be moved from their homes in North London as they do not believe the towers were safe.

And fire-risk cladding was found at 30 NHS trusts yesterday – with NINE high rise hospitals potentially at risk.

Urgent inspections are ongoing into the materials used and to boost fire safety.