London councils have warned of a new national fire safety crisis after discovering hundreds of low-rise timber-framed homes had plastic cladding installed that could cause fires.

Barnet Council has alerted the government and London Mayor Sadiq Khan that other homeowners of similar properties across the country may be affected. The company said the 580 homes in need of repair in the area were just the “tip of the iceberg”.

A row of such houses in Moss Hall Grove, Finchley, was destroyed in June when the fire quickly spread to the terraces and destroyed the houses. Eight people survived and 30 people in the surrounding area were evacuated.

The council has Since discovering More houses using similar UPVC panels also had no measures in place to stop the spread of fire. The one- and two-storey houses were built with timber frames between the 1930s and 1960s, but were retrofitted with UPVC cladding panels in the 1980s.

Other homes have timber cladding, timber framing and inadequate fire partitioning.

The cost of repairs is estimated to be close to £17 million, of which £3.6 million will be borne by the taxpayer to restore council houses. Work will begin next month.

The council told residents that “while there is a significant hazard to their property, there is no imminent risk”.

“We believe the homes affected at 580 Barnet are just the tip of the iceberg of those affected across the country,” said Ross Houston, the council’s deputy leader. “We are sharing details with other local authorities and DLUHC [the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] Clearly, a national plan is needed to raise awareness and figure out how best to support homeowners. “

Following the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017, which killed 72 people, there has been an ongoing cladding crisis in high-rise apartment blocks, which are covered with combustible panels and insulation, creating potential new dangers. To date, the government, social landlords and private developers have allocated £11.8 billion to address these issues.

Nearly 4,000 buildings over 11 meters tall in the UK have been identified as having unsafe cladding. Latest government data show. Only one-fifth has been fully restored, while work is ongoing on another fifth. Eighty per cent of buildings with highly flammable Grenfell-style aluminum composite cladding have been repaired.

The latest developments are likely to increase costs, further squeezing budgets for building much-needed social housing or rehabilitating substandard homes.

The Local Government Association, which represents council leaders in England, said councils will “find out if they have timber-framed buildings where cladding and cladding materials pose a particular risk”.

Darren Rodwell, LGA building safety spokesman, said: “Given other recent fires it is clear the government cannot risk further delays… The government should provide guidance to all building owners so they know what action needs to be taken “The government should also provide funding to rectify the problems identified so that the cost of these works does not ultimately put greater pressure on already stretched council budgets.”

London Fire Brigade said ward commanders in the Barnet area had been involved in discussions about the issue.

DLUHC has been contacted for comment.