What’s behind 2017 Grenfell Tower tragedy in UK
According to the final report of the six-year public inquiry, the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people in London on 14 June 2017, was the result of a chain of failures by the government, rogue companies and the fire department's lack of strategy, Kazinform News Agency reports.
The 23-story building was wrapped in flammable cladding, which contributed to the fire's rapid spread and uncontrollability. Those residents, including 18 children and 15 disabled persons, who followed official instructions to remain in their seats to await the fire department, died at the scene.
Martin Moore-Bick, Chair of the inquiry, indicated that the deaths that occurred were all avoidable. Despite the clear threat to occupiers of the building, their calls for help were not responded to for years. The main responsibility lies with the building maintenance company, local and national authorities, and the companies that sold flammable cladding materials under the guise of safety.
“It should be noted that certain building materials, including aluminum composite panels, may pose certain safety risks. It is our assessment that the government and supervisory authorities were not proactive in identifying this flaw in a timely manner. Companies were deliberately providing false information about the safety of their materials," Martin Moore-Bick stated.
Additionally, the previous government, local authorities in the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, industry executives, regulators, and the fire department were all subject to criticism. It was noted that the fire department had been remiss in addressing fire safety issues for some time. A formal apology to the victims and their families was issued on behalf of the government by the new prime minister.
I extend my deepest apologies to all those affected by this tragedy. This was an unacceptable occurrence. "The state failed to fulfill its primary responsibility of protecting you and your loved ones," Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer stated.
The government will issue official correspondence to the construction companies involved in the incident, demanding the termination of their contracts. Furthermore, it will offer the London police and prosecutors its fullest assistance in the investigation of the case.