Lawyers hired after Camberwell blaze

Southwark council has hired a top City law firm to deal with legal action following the Camberwell flats fire which claimed the lives of six people.

Burton Copeland specialises in corporate criminal fraud and would handle any cases of corporate manslaughter which may arise.

Southwark says the firm has only been enlisted because it does not have enough staff in-house and specialist advice was needed. A council spokesman said: "We're involved in an investigation, a complex one with many other agencies, one that has not finished yet, one that we're co-operating with These aren't public relations lawyers."

The council said it was not yet facing any corporate manslaughter cases over the fire at Lakanal House on 3 July.

The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority has ordered safety improvements in three council blocks, including one next to Lakanal House.