The Grenfell Tower fire, a disaster that rocked London and shocked the world in 2017, should have never happened. It was a tragedy that claimed the lives of 72 people and destroyed homes and families. The worst building disaster in the history of the UK was caused by a combination of cost-cutting measures, combustible cladding, and a flawed stay-put policy. The aftermath of the fire has been marked by government failings, struggles for justice and reparation, and a community still grappling with the trauma. In this article, we take a closer look at what led to this horrific event and reflect on its impact.
The Night of the Fire
In the early hours of June 14th, 2017, a resident of Grenfell Tower in North Kensington woke up to a loud beeping sound. A fire had broken out in his kitchen on the fourth floor. He immediately called for help, and firefighters arrived within minutes. But it soon became apparent that this was not an ordinary fire. The flames had spread to the external cladding on the building’s facade, causing it to rapidly engulf the entire 24-story structure.
The residents were advised to stay put in their apartments, following standard protocol for high-rise buildings. However, as the fire continued to spread, they were eventually told to evacuate. By then, it was too late for many. The fire had reached the roof, making escape impossible for those living on higher floors. As a result, 72 people lost their lives, including disabled individuals and children.
The Tower Today
Today, four years after the fire, the Grenfell Tower site is still a somber reminder of the tragedy that occurred. While some progress has been made in terms of investigations and plans for remediation, much remains to be done. The tower itself is covered in scaffolding and sheeting to prevent debris from falling off and to enable forensic teams to carry out their work. All around the tower, there are memorials, murals, and flowers as a mark of respect for the lives lost.
A Survivor’s Account
In the aftermath of the fire, survivors and witnesses have shared their stories, revealing the horror and trauma they experienced that night. Many have described feeling trapped and helpless as they watched the fire consume the building. One survivor, speaking to the media, said that it felt like living in a death trap. This sentiment is shared by many residents who live in high-rise buildings across the UK, fearful that a similar tragedy could occur again.
The Causes
An investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire revealed several factors that contributed to the disaster, including cost-cutting measures, combustible cladding, and a flawed stay-put policy.
Cost-Cutting
The tower was managed by Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organization (TMO), a non-profit organization responsible for managing social housing on behalf of the council. TMO had reportedly saved £293,000 in 2014 by choosing a cheaper cladding option for Grenfell Tower. This cost-cutting measure has been criticized as one of the factors that led to the fire’s rapid spread.
Combustible Cladding
The external cladding used on Grenfell Tower contained aluminum composite material (ACM), which is highly combustible. This type of cladding is banned in several countries but was still allowed in the UK at the time of the fire. It has since been discovered that this type of cladding was also used on hundreds of other high-rise buildings across the country.
Stay-Put Policy
The stay-put policy has been a long-standing protocol for fires in high-rise buildings. This policy advises residents to stay in their apartments unless they are directly affected by the fire. However, as the fire at Grenfell Tower spread rapidly due to the combustible cladding, the policy was quickly deemed ineffective. It has since been questioned and revised in many high-rise buildings across the UK.
The Report
In October 2019, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry released its report on the tragedy. The report highlighted several issues, including a failure to address the risks of combustible cladding, inadequate fire safety procedures, and a lack of government oversight. It also criticized the London Fire Brigade’s response to the fire and its lack of training for a blaze of this magnitude.
Government Failings
The Grenfell Tower fire exposed significant failings on the part of the government, including a lack of regulation and oversight in the construction industry. It also raised questions about social inequality and injustice, as many residents living in high-rise buildings are from low-income backgrounds.
What’s Changed?
In response to the Grenfell Tower fire, the UK government promised to take swift action to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. In February 2020, it announced a new building safety fund of £1 billion to remove dangerous cladding from high-rise buildings across the country. The government also introduced stronger regulations for fire safety and banned combustible cladding on high-rise buildings.
Leaseholders’ Struggles
While progress has been made in terms of remediation plans and safety reform, many people living in high-rise buildings still face challenges. Leaseholders (those who own their apartments) have been left with hefty bills for remediation works, often amounting to thousands of pounds. They feel let down by the government and are struggling to find ways to pay for these costs.
The Remediation Plan
In February 2021, three and a half years after the fire, only 47% of buildings identified as having dangerous cladding have completed remediation work. And while progress is being made, it is slow and expensive. For many, the wait for their homes to be made safe is far from over.
The Wait for Justice
To date, no one has been held accountable for the Grenfell Tower fire. In January 2021, the Grenfell Tower
