London fire reignites building industry concerns about cladding used in New Zealand

Wellington City Council is on alert as the fire at Grenfell Tower in west London triggers concerns about cladding on high-rise buildings.

Aluminium cladding has been cited as a possible factor in the rapid spread of London's high-rise fire. Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean said he did not believe the same material was used on any of the capital's high-rise social accommodation.

"We are confident we don't have similar materials on our buildings, but we are taking a close interest at the events in London, as are the Fire Service and others, to see exactly what type of materials caused the building to go up so quickly."

The same aluminium material is on sale in New Zealand, but experts say only a fire-proof version is supposed to be used for residential buildings.

MacLean said the council was already in the process of spending $400 million to improve fire safety for the city's high-rise social housing.

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