Builders were unlawfully killed

Four builders who were crushed to death under tons of rubble when an office block collapsed were unlawfully killed, an inquest ruled yesterday. An inquest at Esher, Surrey, heard how a string of major faults had been found in the 27-year-old offices by builders as they carried out a facelift.

A file will now be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, with a view to possible prosecution. Site agent Ron Martin, 58, carpenter Peter Berwick, 36, and labourers Mark Malloy, 24, and 21-year-old Richard Barnes, were all killed on 1 August last year. Angry relatives cheered the decision of the jury and said they would fight on for tougher safety laws. Supt David Don, of Staines police, said: "It is our intention to bring to justice those responsible and we will continue as much as we can to do that."