Locked Fire Escape Kills Two

A fire in a North London pawnbroker’s shop caused the death of two women employees after a Securitas cash box malfunctioned and burst into flames.

Securitas delivery officer, Mr George Kerr, explained to Hornsey Coroner’s Court how he put the cash box into an airlock in the shop. The explosive mechanism triggered, releasing smoke and flames, therefore causing the fire to start.

The two women, employees of Albemarle and Bond in Wembley, became trapped in the basement. They could not escape becayse the fire door was locked, requiring four keys to open it and there were bars on the windows.

Firemen used hydraulic cutting tools to cut the window bars and a crowbar to force open the door but they could not get inside in time to save the women.

The Court heard how the brother of one of the victims heard his sister’s final moments via her mobile phone and how a fireman held a victim’s hand through the bars. The case continues.
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