FEARS that thousands of Hounslow tower block residents may be living in danger are mounting following reports that over half of their homes are at 'high risk' from fire.

A Freedom of Information request obtained by the BBC has revealed that 20 out of 36 of Hounslow's residential blocks are considered to be extremely unsafe.

With danger levels in Cornish House in Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, being described by one surveyor as "off the Richter scale". These revelations come only three months after six people died in a fire in a Southwark tower block that was given a medium risk rating.

Hounslow council confirmed that they have 20 tower blocks rated as high risk because of "possible occurrence of an extremely harmful event or likely occurrence of a harmful event".

Of these buildings eight were in Brentford, five in Isleworth, four in Hounslow and three in Feltham.

Brentford councillor, Ruth Cadbury said: "I am very disturbed that there is still outstanding work to be carried out on fire safety contrary to the reassurances we were given at July's Council meeting following the Camberwell fire.

"We were told that the only outstanding physical problems were some sub-standard fire doors. However this week's news story suggests that a number of significant problems remain."

Andrew Tarling, a chartered surveyor with 22 years' experience in fire risk, visited Brentford's Cornish house with a BBC reporter, and noted fire hazards in the building included:

* No fire resistance between flats and lifts – during fire residents would be trapped by smoke and fire spread by lift shaft acting as a "chimney"
* A padlock on one fire escape and no release bar on another.
* Holes bored through ceilings for cables wide enough to allow flame to pass, accelerating fire spread.
* A section of floor smashed through following a water leak proofed with plastic bag
* Fireman's entry switch broke, denying emergency access to the block.

Speaking of the building which has been inhabited by Hounslow council tenants for over 40 years, Mr Tarling is quoted by the BBC as saying: "It's not just that there were loads of faults – they've been increasing over the years as more shoddy work is carried out.

"I would describe the risk level as off the Richter scale. I would not want to live in that building."

Phil Scarrott, vice chairman of Brentford Towers Residents Association told the Chronicle on Tuesday that the tower blocks were "swarming with men in high vis jackets" assessing the buildings safety levels, "I'm very pleased that something is being done," he said.

"I have pushing to have this brought to the attention of the council for a year now and hopefully we can make improvements before they get any worse."

A spokeswoman from Hounslow Homes who runs housing for Hounslow Council said: "Hounslow Homes takes fire safety responsibilities very seriously. We would like to reassure our residents that we are doing all we can to minimise the risk of a similar incident to the fire in Camberwell happening.

"Immediately following the Lakanal House fire, we initiated a review of all or our fire risk assessments and over the past few weeks have commissioned a firm of specialist advisors to undertake new, detailed fire risk assessments, beginning on 6th October which include the high-rise blocks in Brentford.

"We sent our own technical team out to investigate concerns highlighted by BBC London News. We have been assured by the team that Cornish House is safe but there are suggested improvements to be made and we will act on these recommendations immediately."

All Hounslow tower blocks categorised as being at High Risk

Boulton House, Green Dragon Lane
Cornish House, Green Dragon Lane
Fraser House, Green Dragon Lane
Harvey House, Green Dragon Lane
Maudsley House, Green Dragon Lane
Wicksteed House, Green Dragon Lane
Easedale House, Summerwood Road
Haweswater House, Summerwood Road
Thirlmere House, Summerwood Road
Windermere House, Summerwood Road
Bellamy House, Biscoe Close
Fenton House, Biscoe Road
Clements Court, Green Lane
Block 69 – 114 Benson Close
19 – 58 Percy Gardens
Belvedere House, Lemon Grove
Frank Towell Court, Glebelands Road
Hunter House, Hazel Grove
1-60 Charlton House, Albany Road
61-70 Charlton House, Albany Road