FIRE chiefs hope building experts may help them press for new safety rules in the wake of the Fulford Place blaze in York.

Officials from the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) have visited the damaged flats complex, hunting for clues as part of the official probe into what triggered the fire - and why it took several hours to put out.

North Yorkshire chief fire officer, Nigel Hutchinson, said the subsequent report from the BRE could help the fire service lobby the Government on safety issues, such as strengthening the rules on fire alarms.

Speaking at the scene off Hospital Fields Road, BRE fire investigator Brian Martin said: "We're looking to learn lessons from the incident.

"Those lessons get fed back into the building regulations." The BRE is the UK's leading centre for construction and fire research, and plays a key role in helping shape national policy.

Chris Anderson, North Yorkshire's deputy chief fire officer, said the Fulford incident had sparked national interest in construction methods used at new developments.

If the BRE findings support the county fire service's early findings that the building's construction hindered the firefighting operation, that could trigger a strong call from the service to Ministers over the need to tighten up building regulations.

The Evening Press revealed how Fulford Place had no fire escapes, no sprinklers and no fire alarms in communal areas.

Yet, according to official rules, the new block of 100 apartments met all building regulations.

The issue was discussed by North Yorkshire Fire Authority, when Mr Anderson stressed investigations were ongoing. But a report said the construction of the roof "hampered" firefighting operations and a strong wind spread the flames.

The roof had a sandwich panel structure, with two layers of steel surrounding a polystyrene-type material.

Councillor Ken King, a York fire authority member, asked whether other properties in the city were built the same way.

But Mr Anderson said early investigations suggested the type of construction was "not widespread" in the city.

Coun King said: "We know developers are not obliged to fit sprinklers, but the time has come, and it's in residents' interests, to put them in."

Mr Hutchinson called for better links between council building officials and firefighters so "early risk information" on properties is exchanged.

A City of York Council spokesman said it had asked the BRE to compile a report on the flats for the council and the Government.

Updated: 10:11 Saturday, June 18, 2005