The two timber-framed blocks were only part-built and both destroyed in the blaze.

Building magazine recently ran a cover story on the incident, based, it claimed, on an “exclusive” conversation with London Fire Brigade (LFB). The report said the LFB referred to the “dangers inherent in multi-storey timber frame sites”. It also quoted Arup fire engineer Peter Bressington saying: “If there's a fire in a steel or concrete building, it wouldn't be an issue… in a timber-framed building you lose the lot”.

The Modern Masonry Alliance has already called for a moratorium on the use of multi-storey timber frame and no doubt will dine out on the sensationalist coverage in Building.

The trouble is, the latter ran its story before the LFB’s official report was released. There was no information on the fire’s cause, whether other materials were implicated, or if anyone was on site to tackle the blaze when it broke out. All that had come out was that the first block to ignite comprised little more than the frame. The second was more advanced but, it seems, still lacked doors, fire stops and other internal elements.

Before the LFB investigation results are known, to say that the fire highlighted “inherent dangers” in multi-storey timber frame construction sites is clearly premature. Arup's Bressington told Timber Building's sister title Timber Trades Journal that Building had “truncated” his comment. Rather than inherent problems with the form of construction, his concern was that “builders used to other methods are not adapting to timber frame”. “It's a case of looking at the schedule, putting in fire protection earlier, for instance,” he said.

The UK Timber Frame Association has highlighted the fire prevention guidance it provides and says it will take on board any lessons that come out of the LFB report (p62). Chief executive Bryan Woodley urges all parts of construction to collaborate on site safety. “We should work together with steel building and masonry sectors,” he said, “and stop the knocking copy.”

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