Grenfell Tower fire

Grenfell Tower fire
Natalie Oxford · CC BY 4.0 · source
Name	Grenfell Tower
Location	North Kensington, London, England
Status	Destroyed (severely damaged)
Completion date	1974
Height	67.3 m
Floors	24
Building type	Residential tower block
Architect	Clifford Wearden and Associates
Owner	Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (Grenfell Tower Renters and Residents Association; Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation)

Grenfell Tower fire The Grenfell Tower fire was a catastrophic high-rise blaze that occurred on 14 June 2017 at a 24-storey residential tower block in North Kensington, London. The incident provoked a national crisis involving Theresa May, Sadiq Khan, Kensington and Chelsea authorities, emergency services such as the London Fire Brigade, and widespread public scrutiny from groups including Amnesty International, Liberty (UK), and survivors' organizations. The disaster led to major investigations, criminal inquiries, legal actions, policy reforms, and international attention from entities like the European Convention on Human Rights and the United Nations.

Background

Grenfell Tower was constructed in 1974 as part of the Lancaster West Estate, designed by architects including Clifford Wearden and managed by the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation. The tower underwent a controversial refurbishment completed in 2016 involving contractors such as Rydon and suppliers including Celotex and Arconic. The refurbishment introduced external cladding panels and insulation systems similar to products from Reynobond and Kingspan, raising later questions involving manufacturers like Saint-Gobain. Residents had previously raised safety concerns through groups including the Grenfell Action Group and the Grenfell United survivors' group. The building housed a diverse community with residents from countries represented by consulates such as those of Nigeria, Pakistan, Kuwait, Portugal, and Syria.

The fire

Shortly after 00:54 BST on 14 June 2017, a fire began in a fourth-floor flat. The blaze rapidly spread up the exterior due to the cladding and insulation system, challenging firefighting tactics used by the London Fire Brigade. The event involved coordination between services including NHS England emergency response teams and the Metropolitan Police Service. Evacuation guidance based on "stay put" policies, used in other high-rise incidents such as the Lakanal House fire, became central to operational decisions. International experts from institutions like the National Fire Protection Association and the Building Research Establishment later analyzed fire behaviour and materials.

Casualties and injuries

The fire resulted in a large number of deaths and injuries; the exact toll was established through coroner processes and identification by agencies including Scotland Yard. Survivors received treatment from hospitals such as St Mary's Hospital, London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, and Royal Free Hospital. Many residents were rehoused by councils including the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and received assistance from charities like British Red Cross, Samaritans, and community groups including Notting Hill Carnival volunteers. International governments, including those of Algeria and Eritrea, were involved in supporting citizens affected by the disaster.

Investigation and inquiries

Inquiries were launched by officials including Theresa May and led to a public inquiry chaired by Sir Martin Moore-Bick. Investigations were conducted by the Metropolitan Police Service Major Investigation Team and regulatory bodies including the Health and Safety Executive and the National Fire Chiefs Council. Evidence involved testimony from contractors such as Rydon, manufacturers like Arconic and Celotex, and consultants including Acland Burghley-associated firms. The inquiry examined building regulations including documents influenced by the Building Regulations 2010 regime and standards from organisations such as BRE Group.

Legal proceedings and accountability

Criminal investigations by the Metropolitan Police Service explored potential offences under laws including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and corporate manslaughter statutes. Civil claims involved solicitors representing survivors and bereaved families against contractors and manufacturers like Rydon, Arconic, Celotex, and insurers including Lloyd's of London. Parliamentary debates in the House of Commons and oversight by committees such as the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee scrutinised accountability of local leaders including members of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council and management decisions by the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation.

Aftermath and impact

The disaster prompted national mourning marked by vigils at locations such as Kensington Memorial Park and global solidarity from cities including Paris and New York City. Community-led initiatives, including Grenfell United and Bereaved Families for Justice, campaigned for justice, support, and remembrance. Media outlets like the BBC, The Guardian, The Times, and Sky News provided extensive coverage; investigative journalism by publications such as The Independent influenced public understanding. The incident affected housing policy discussions in the House of Lords and prompted reviews by organisations like the Local Government Association.

Safety reforms and policy changes

Following the incident, the UK Government commissioned reviews by figures such as Dame Judith Hackitt, producing the interim report "Building a Safer Future" and recommendations impacting the Building Safety Regulator concept within Health and Safety Executive oversight. Remediation programs addressed cladding removal and building compliance, involving contractors overseen by entities such as the Housing Ombudsman and funding schemes debated in the House of Commons. Internationally, authorities including the European Commission and regulators in Australia and Canada reassessed high-rise fire safety standards. Legislative responses included amendments to building regulations and the establishment of new guidance from the National Fire Chiefs Council and the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Category:2017 disasters in the United Kingdom