Lakanal House on BBC London News


Lakanal Fire and its Aftermath on BBC London News

It takes experience and judgement to ensure an important issue remains ‘alive’ in public discourse.  Stories can often disappear from view unless newsrooms and individual journalists champion them.  My investigations based on detailed research as well as strong relationships with key stake holders built up over time resulted in succinct, high impact News features and reports on the BBC Platform (TV, Radio and Online).  In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the focus was on knowing what happened and the published stories reflected that, but as time passed the how and the why became much more important, particularly with regard to the implications for high rise buildings in general (see timeline for overview of the narrative arc).

Other Broadcast News outlets covered the story although not in as much depth.  In particular Inside Housing and The South London Press made this story an important part of their ongoing news agenda.


“I am extremely grateful to be able to use the Lakanal Fire footage courtesy of Nigel Saunders and Paul Wood.

All the fire footage of the Lakanal House fire is their copyright.

All other material is BBC Copyright and available through public access online or through the 'box of broadcasts' portal.”

Professor Kurt Barling - 2017