Citation

Crossland B. Fire Safety J. 1992; 18(1): 3-11.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper sets the scene for the subsequent technical papers devoted to the King's Cross Underground fire, which occurred on the evening of the 18 November 1987. It describes the complicated geography of the underground station, and the constructural details of the Piccadilly line escalators installed at King's Cross, where the fire originated. This is followed by a brief account of the development of the fire, from when it was first noticed to the flashover some 5 min later, and the subsequent fire-fighting operation.A brief account is given of the setting-up of the investigation by the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon. Paul Channon MP, under section7 of the Regulation of Railways Act (1871). The organisation of the investigation and its timetable are described.