Contractors hired to build council houses may be asked to use different insulation after a half-built apartment complex caught alight.

In the aftermath of August 17's fire on Burton Road, Debden in which the 51 home, £10m project emitted smoke visible from central London, Epping Forest District Council admitted contractors Mulalley had used flammable insulation similar to that in Grenfell Tower.

Speaking at a council meeting on August 30 Paul Pledger, assistant director of housing, said Mulalley had signed a contract with the council three years before the Kensington tragedy, the firm had chosen the polyurethane based brand and the council was not legally allowed to dictate which materials are used in design and build contracts.

In last night's (September 25) meeting, leader Cllr Chris Whitbread announced that more attention would be given to contractors' chosen materials.

He said: "The council will be in consultation with its contractors to review the type of insulation materials it uses to continue to ensure that our new homes are built with due consideration of health and standards, the building regulations of best practice and safety."

Responding to questions by Green Party Councillor Steven Neville, Cllr Whitbread confirmed that flammable insulation had been widely used across the council's new build properties, but argued it did not constitute the same risk as at Burton Road.

He added: "It is not the choice of insulation that represents a fire risk, it is the method in which it is utilised.

"The insulation selected for the Burton Road development would not be a fire risk where it is fully encapsulated as it was designed."

The fire at Burton Road broke out when the insulation was exposed and was likely sparked by a molten tar bucket.

The council will also be looking at its flat roof and hot works construction policies.

Cllr Whitbread was also keen to make the distinction between Burton Road and Grenfell Tower clear, pointing out that the council's development is only four storeys tall compared to Grenfell's 24, and was sparked by a construction accident.

He said: "Even if it had been possible for such a fire to start once the building was finished and occupied, all of the evidence suggests people would have been able to escape unharmed.

"The building stood up remarkably well to the blaze."