DRINKERS were given their marching orders from a "death trap" illegal drinking den just yards from the site of the New Cross fire.

Officers from Lewisham Council's Environmental Enforcement team were joined by police to shut down the unlicensed drinking club in the second raid of its kind on these premises in four weeks.

During the midnight raid faulty wiring used to power the illegal club's sound system was discovered, raising fears of a blaze which could claim drinkers' lives.

The bar, in the basement of a money transfer shop on New Cross Road, was two doors away from the house where 14 youngsters died in a house fire following a party in 1981.

The drinking den was shut down by the council team which seized speakers and music equipment along with £150 in cash.

No arrests were made but two bar staff were given warnings in relation to licensing offences and could face prosecution.

Sixteen drinkers were all allowed to leave following police checks.

The site has been a problem for the last three years and was previously raided on May 7 when musical equipment was taken away.

The owner of the premises will be prosecuted by Lewisham Council and could face a fine of up to £20,000 for issues relating to noise and inappropriate use of the premises.

Sergeant Nick Pendleton said: "They are trying to say they are just drinking but this is more than a party.

"It is an illegal unlicensed club and it is a death trap. The wiring is in an appalling condition and we have photographs to show the fire brigade who will be able to take the matter further."

A makeshift plug of exposed wires was being used to power the speakers in the bar which had one window covered by bars.

George Francis, who lost his son in the 1981 blaze, is head of the New Cross Fire Parents Committee.

He said: "Those houses should all be looked at by electricians, they all need new wiring.

"It's very sad this should be a problem in the same street as the fire which we still have no answers to."

Residents who live in nearby flats have complained about noise from music which continues into the early hours of the morning.

Speaking after the June 3 raid Charles Buckle, environmental health enforcement officer, said: "We warned them we would come back if we received more complaints.

"We have achieved our goal and confiscated the equipment."

He added: "By working together with the police and other bodies we will be able to find a solution to this problem in a reasonable period of time."