Combustible cladding found on 14 high-rise blocks around the UK putting thousands at risk, Government reveals

At least 14 council-owned high rises are fitted with combustible cladding similar to that used on Grenfell Tower, it has emerged.

They include high-rises in Hounslow and Camden, as well as Plymouth and Manchester, a spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) said.

Tests involving the analysis of samples have revealed that tower blocks in nine local authority areas across the UK have been fitted with flammable panels.

The Health Service Journal reported a letter has also been sent to NHS trusts urging them to check buildings for combustible cladding in the wake of the fire.

The news comes amid a national safety operation under way to identify buildings with cladding akin to that used on the Grenfell Tower.

Cladding at a tower in Clements Court, Hounslow, failed the fire-safety test and will be removed "as soon as possible", the borough's council said on Friday.

Leader of Hounslow Council Steve Curran said in a statement: "We were informed late last night by the DCLG that the sample of the outer 'Aluminium Composite Material' (ACM) cladding used on Clements Court tower has failed the Building Research Establishment combustion test.

"The outer shell cladding is made up of two thin aluminium sheets with polyethylene filler in between them.

"However, the insulation material behind this outer cladding is a 'rockwool' material which is a non-combustible product, unlike the case of the Grenfell Tower, where the insulation was a combustible type.

"We have, therefore, decided that we will take steps to remove the outer cladding from the building as soon as is practical.

"We are currently looking into how best and swiftly this can be done."

A fire watch patrol will be set up by the authority and safety tests will be carried out on homes, he added.

Meanwhile Camden Council said it will immediately begin preparing to remove cladding from five towers on Chalcots Estate, Swiss Cottage, with 24/7 fire patrols carried out until all the panels have been removed.

Cladding tested on tower blocks across London

Haringey

The 22-storey Rivers Apartments tower block in Tottenham was clad with the same cladding reportedly used on Grenfell Tower, the Newlon Housing Trust confirmed.

After an "extensive safety audit", London Fire Brigade confirmed the tower block would be considered a "low fire risk" after modifications and technical clarifications, the trust added.

Barnet

Three towers in Barnet, north-east London, have been found to have similar rain screen panels on their cladding as Grenfell Tower, which are to be removed.

The Granville Point, Harpenmead Point and Templemead Point blocks had all been reclad in 2012, Barnet Council said.

On Friday, a council spokesman confirmed the cladding would come down as a "precaution".

Islington

Islington Council said cladding was to be removed from Braithwaite House, one of eight blocks tested, after it was found to have aluminium composite material.

Test results from the other blocks, Harvist Estate and Brunswick Estate, are yet to be returned, a spokesman said.

Newham

Ferrier Point tower in Newham, east London - one of three buildings found to have cladding panels with aluminium composite in the borough, it is understood.

Refurbishment on the building, including cladding, was overseen by Rydon, the company involved in the refit of Grenfell Tower.

The insulation behind the cladding, however, was said to be highly fire-resistant Rockwool Duoslab.

Rydon did not respond to calls and emails from the Press Association requesting comment.