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16 December 2010
Last updated at 19:39 ET
A London Assembly report has urged the government to tighten regulations on timber-framed buildings after several major fires in the city.
Blazes in Croydon and Peckham, in 2007 and 2009 respectively, caused severe damage to blocks with wooden frames.
The report said there was a "crisis of confidence" in the construction method.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said it was yet to receive the report but would consider its findings when it arrived.
Timber-framed buildings were banned after the Great Fire of London.
They were permitted again after a test on a mocked-up wooden-framed house in 1999 showed a fire could be contained.
Issue 'cannot wait' But the assembly has warned there is now a "significant level" of concern within the industry, because of several fires since then.
"This is an issue that cannot wait," said Nicky Gavron, who chaired the committee which assessed the issue.
"There is a crisis of confidence about the safety of tall and timber-framed buildings, and the government and construction industry must act now to tighten regulations and reduce fire risk.
"As we construct at higher densities and with more environmentally-friendly materials, we will see more tall and timber-framed buildings.
"It is therefore vital to current and future residents that we get fire safety absolutely right."
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Blazes in Croydon and Peckham, in 2007 and 2009 respectively, caused severe damage to blocks with wooden frames.
The report said there was a "crisis of confidence" in the construction method.
The Department for Communities and Local Government said it was yet to receive the report but would consider its findings when it arrived.
Timber-framed buildings were banned after the Great Fire of London.
They were permitted again after a test on a mocked-up wooden-framed house in 1999 showed a fire could be contained.
Issue 'cannot wait' But the assembly has warned there is now a "significant level" of concern within the industry, because of several fires since then.
"This is an issue that cannot wait," said Nicky Gavron, who chaired the committee which assessed the issue.
"There is a crisis of confidence about the safety of tall and timber-framed buildings, and the government and construction industry must act now to tighten regulations and reduce fire risk.
"As we construct at higher densities and with more environmentally-friendly materials, we will see more tall and timber-framed buildings.
"It is therefore vital to current and future residents that we get fire safety absolutely right."
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