A concerned MP has demanded answers from the authority which passed building regulations at a block of homes destroyed by fire at the weekend.

Canterbury’s Julian Brazier has suggested the design of the flats and houses escalated the spread of the blaze on the city’s Old Tannery estate.

The devastating fire ripped through the timber-framed building on Saturday afternoon, destroying 16 homes and leaving many more damaged.

Mr Brazier has since fired off a letter to the National House Building Council’s head of corporate and external affairs, Lewis Sidnick.

The NHBC is the UK's largest single approved inspector for building regulations.

Mr Brazier writes: “You will be very well aware of the dreadful events that happened last weekend.

“I understand that the buildings on the site - constructed by Bellway Homes, starting in 2005 - were passed by yourselves.

“There has been no suggestion that there was shoddy building - the problem appears to have arisen from the design.

“My concern is that, at a time when building regulations are more prescriptive than ever on issues like energy saving, the basic requirement to make the building resilient to fire appears to have been lost sight of.”

The blaze started at 2pm in a utility room of one of the flats, with fire crews saying the building’s timber-framed construction allowed it to spread rapidly among the frame voids.

Mr Brazier says the NHBC needs to urgently review using this method of construction in future buildings.

His letter continues: “In one important respect, the design worked – there was no loss of life because of the construction on exits.

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“Nevertheless, the speed at which this devastating conflagration spread suggests that there is a serious gap in modern building regulations.

“I would be most grateful if you could let me know what steps you are taking to urgently review this issue, both from the point of view of future new building and, more urgently, other recent building of timber-framed construction properties.”

Developer Bellway Homes began converting the former St Mildred's Tannery site into a 416-unit housing scheme in 2005.

In a statement released this week, the Newcastle-based company confirmed it had launched an investigation into the spread of the fire.

It said: “All at Bellway are deeply saddened to learn of the fire and the damage to property that has occurred.

"We are thankful that there are no serious injuries resulting from the fire and our thoughts are with those residents who may have lost their homes and possessions."

It adds: "Bellway will work with Kent Fire Brigade and all other interested parties and assist where necessary with any investigations into the cause or causes and subsequent spread of the fire."

The Kentish Gazette has set up a fundraising appeal to help those left homeless by the fire.

To donate click here.