Report Blames Grenfell Tower Fire on 'Decades of Failure,' Deadliest in UK Since WWII

Post by : Omar Nasser

Photo : AFP

The Grenfell Tower fire, which tragically claimed 72 lives in London, was the result of “decades of failure” by both the UK government and the construction industry, according to a comprehensive public inquiry that spanned seven years. The inquiry concluded that the 24-storey tower was wrapped in flammable cladding during a major renovation, a key factor in the rapid spread of the fire.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

The blaze started in the early hours of June 14, 2017, when an electrical fault in a refrigerator on the fourth floor ignited what should have been a manageable fire. Instead, the flames quickly spread to the flammable insulation and cladding that encased the building, transforming it into the deadliest fire in Britain since the Blitz.

In a detailed 1,700-page report spread across seven volumes, Martin Moore-Bick, chair of the inquiry, pointed to “systematic dishonesty” by the companies responsible for manufacturing and selling the cladding and insulation. Their actions, the report suggests, played a direct role in the disaster.

Moore-Bick emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy, stating, “The simple truth is that the deaths that occurred were all avoidable. Those who lived in the tower were failed over many years and in numerous ways by the very entities responsible for ensuring their safety.” He went on to describe the fire as the “culmination of decades of failure by central government and other bodies within the construction industry.”

Grenfell United, a group representing survivors and bereaved families, responded to the report, calling it a pivotal step in the journey toward “truth, justice, and change.” However, they stressed that justice had yet to be fully delivered. “The inquiry report exposes that when corporate interests clash with public safety, the government has consistently shirked its responsibilities,” the group said. “The system isn’t broken; it was built this way.”

Moore-Bick acknowledged the length of the inquiry, noting that it took longer than initially expected because “many more matters of concern” were uncovered throughout the process. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer offered his condolences to the bereaved and survivors of the tragedy, along with the wider community affected by the fire. He pledged that the Labour government would "carefully consider the report and its recommendations" to ensure such a catastrophe is never repeated.

The Grenfell fire sparked a nationwide re-evaluation of safety measures in high-rise buildings, revealing widespread use of the same type of flammable cladding that accelerated the disaster. The issue has had lasting effects on homeowners across the UK, with many unable to sell their properties due to safety concerns, as banks have refused to lend against homes with cladding issues.

The inquiry's findings bring to light a disturbing history of negligence, marking a significant moment for those seeking accountability and change in the aftermath of this devastating event.

#trending #latest #GrenfellInquiry #FireSafety #JusticeForGrenfell #BuildingRegulations #UKGovernment #PublicSafety #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai