A charity has called for a review of fire safety at a detention centre for illegal immigrants after it was revealed it had not been fitted with water sprinklers.

The Gatwick Detainees Support Group has raised concerns about Tinsley House, near the airport, after the Home Office confirmed today the centre had no sprinkler system.

The revelation follows the blaze at the Yarl's Wood centre near Bedford which was half destroyed following a riot by detainees last week.

The Government has now admitted none of its eight detention centres for asylum seekers has been fitted with sprinklers.

The Three Bridges-based charity, which visits and provides support to detainees, says safety systems should be reviewed at the centre Co-ordinator Martyn Williams said: "This was a very serious incident and we are naturally concerned that something similar does not happen at Tinsley House."

"We are concerned to hear there are no sprinklers in the centre."

Tinsley House, based on the Southern Perimeter Road, was opened in 1996 and has accommodation for around 140 people.

It was Britain's first purpose-built detention centre for illegal immigrants claiming asylum who have had their applications refused and are waiting to be returned home.