VICTIMS' families and the survivors of the New Cross fire are one step closer to knowing what happened more than 21 years after the tragedy.

Fourteen young black people died when fire ripped through a terraced house in New Cross Road on January 18, 1981.

The coroner recorded an open verdict.

But the Met is now closer to getting approval for a second inquest after Attorney General Lord Peter Goldsmith QC gave it leave to apply to the High Court on Thursday last week.

Once an application has been submitted, the High Court will make the final decision.

Chairman of the New Cross Fire Parents Memorial Trust George Francis, whose 17-year-old son Gerry died in the tragedy, said the families started campaigning for a second inquest as soon as the open verdict was announced.

Mr Francis said on Monday: "I heard the good news this morning. We the parents feel very happy at this moment. We are keeping our fingers crossed and hoping everything will be okay for the inquest.

"At least by that time we will get an answer as to what happened on that night and we are hoping to put our loved ones to rest. It's now 21 long years and we want to get to the end of it.

"I can't see the High Court turning it down. I don't think the Attorney General will say yes, go ahead' unless they will say okay to the inquest."

Lewisham Deptford MP Joan Ruddock, who asked the Met to reopen the investigation, said: "I am extremely grateful to the police for the effort they have put into this task and to the Attorney General for his support.

"The families and survivors have waited 21 years not knowing what happened. We are much closer to finding the truth than at any other time."

alaithwaite@london.newsquest.co.uk