A 21-YEAR-OLD says he is shocked at safety failings in the tower block where his aunt died during a blaze.

Kunaliny Alagaratnam, 42, died with her cousin Santhirapathy Tharmalingam, 59, at February’s fire in Marine Tower, Deptford.

Mrs Alagaratnam lived on the top floor with her family and was being visited by her cousin at the time of the fire.

Now the London Fire Brigade has issued an enforcement notice on Lewisham Homes, which runs the block, highlighting problems including a lack of emergency escape routes.

The notice gives Lewisham Homes six months to make improvements, otherwise legal action could be taken.

Mrs Alagaratnam’s nephew Tharinath Mahenthirarajah, who used to live at the block, said: “It’s a big shock to me to be honest.

“I thought they always checked fire risks. Now all of a sudden I hear they haven’t.”

The pharmacology and genetics graduate, who now lives in Slagrove Place, Lewisham, said his aunt’s two sons Kokilavarathan, 19, and Kishan, 5, were still grieving. News Shopper: Santhirapathy Tharmalingam

He said: “My auntie always told my mum she wanted to get out of the flat because it was so high up.

“She was a very caring mother. We all miss her so much.

“Her five-year-old still thinks his mum has gone on holiday or is in hospital and he’s waiting to hear from her.

“Her 19-year-old is having a difficult time. He always tells me that he’s missing his mum.”

Her husband Ponnampallam, who was out shopping at the time of the blaze, has since moved elsewhere in the borough.

Mr Mahenthirarajah said: “He’s working on his house and he’s trying to get the grief out.”

He said that during a recent family event, the loss was particularly painful.

Mr Mahenthirarajah said: “It felt like I could see her standing there with us.

“I still can’t believe she’s gone. It still feels like she’s here.” News Shopper: Relative's shock at tower block fire failings

The notice details areas where the tower did not meet fire safety standards.

These include the fire risk assessment not being reviewed, inadequate protection of emergency routes, inadequate maintenance of fire doors and failure to establish an appropriate emergency plan.

A brigade spokesman said: “Lewisham Homes must now complete a programme of improvement works by August 15, in order to reduce fire risks in the buildings and ensure that they comply with the Fire Safety Order.

“An enforcement notice does not mean that a building is unsafe for residents or visitors.”

A Lewisham Homes spokesman said: "We are implementing all the required actions and will fully comply with the notice by the set deadline.

"We are not able to comment further until the current investigation by fire and police officers has been completed."

The brigade issued a similar notice on Lewisham Homes’ Pitman House in Tanners Hill, Deptford, last October.

Sandra Clarke, aged 49, of Marine Tower, is due to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on April 18 charged with manslaughter, arson with intent to endanger life and arson, reckless as to whether life was endangered.