22 Oct 2012
Members of London’s fire fighting services had to tackle an asbestos risk when they attended a blaze at two former hospital buildings in High Barnet, it has been reported.
According to local papers owned by the Times Series, the fire broke out at around 6.20pm between the Wood Street and Barnet Road junction on October 15.
More than 20 firefighters attended the scene, where one of the buildings was found to contain asbestos.
Between the 1950s and the 1980s the material was routinely used by the construction trade for fire-proofing and insulation.
It was later found asbestos contains fibres that can cause serious lung diseases when inhaled such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
As a result it was banned due to the risk to workers using the material and to members of the public.
Owners of all commercial properties in England and Wales must carry out a ‘suitable and sufficient’ fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Copyright Press Association 2012