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Ten key questions about the Grenfell Tower fire Key questions about the Grenfell Tower fire
(about 20 hours later)
What started the fire?What started the fire?
Unconfirmed reports are circulating among local residents that a fridge may have exploded on the fourth floor of Grenfell Tower. Residents of the block had previously voiced concerns about piles of rubbish in communal areas presenting a fire risk. Were either of these a contributing factor or was there another cause?Unconfirmed reports are circulating among local residents that a fridge may have exploded on the fourth floor of Grenfell Tower. Residents of the block had previously voiced concerns about piles of rubbish in communal areas presenting a fire risk. Were either of these a contributing factor or was there another cause?
Did the recently completed refurbishment contribute to the blaze?Did the recently completed refurbishment contribute to the blaze?
As part of a refurbishment costing about £10m and carried out by the contractor Rydons, the building was covered in aluminium wall cladding, which appears to have burned strongly. Was this a factor or not? In July 2015, Kensington and Chelsea’s housing and property scrutiny committee reported that there had been “close liaison with London fire brigade with regard to works at Grenfell Tower – local operational crews regularly attend the block and liaise with the contractor, Rydons, on progress of works, impact on firefighting etc.”As part of a refurbishment costing about £10m and carried out by the contractor Rydons, the building was covered in aluminium wall cladding, which appears to have burned strongly. Was this a factor or not? In July 2015, Kensington and Chelsea’s housing and property scrutiny committee reported that there had been “close liaison with London fire brigade with regard to works at Grenfell Tower – local operational crews regularly attend the block and liaise with the contractor, Rydons, on progress of works, impact on firefighting etc.”
What about the external cladding?What about the external cladding?
Firefighters, fire safety experts and architects voiced alarm about the speed with which the fire swept across the new polyester powder-coated aluminium facade, installed as part of the refurbishment to improve the building’s insulation and appearance.Firefighters, fire safety experts and architects voiced alarm about the speed with which the fire swept across the new polyester powder-coated aluminium facade, installed as part of the refurbishment to improve the building’s insulation and appearance.
One architect responsible for several recladding projects said the tower’s cladding was designed to include fire breaks at every floor and around every window. He said that if the cladding was installed correctly, flames should not have been able to sweep through the cavities.One architect responsible for several recladding projects said the tower’s cladding was designed to include fire breaks at every floor and around every window. He said that if the cladding was installed correctly, flames should not have been able to sweep through the cavities.
This was confirmed by the Fire Protection Association, which carried out a laboratory study in 2015 after concerns were raised about such external thermal-insulated cladding systems.This was confirmed by the Fire Protection Association, which carried out a laboratory study in 2015 after concerns were raised about such external thermal-insulated cladding systems.
The FPA said on Wednesday that its study concluded that when the polystyrene insulation was properly enclosed, the extent of any fire could be limited to a “melt-out area”. However, it added that if the cladding was breached by bathroom vents or pipes it was possible for “ground to roof fire” to spread rapidly. The FPA said on Wednesday that its study concluded that when the polystyrene insulation was properly enclosed, the extent of any fire could be limited to a “melt-out area”. However, it added that if the cladding was breached by bathroom vents or pipes it was possible for a “ground to roof fire” to spread rapidly.
Although architect’s drawings for Grenfell Tower seen by the Guardian show provisions for fire breaks in the cladding, it is not known whether it was installed that way. We know that a rainscreen system marketed under the Reynobond brand was used in cladding at Grenfell, but speculation is also focusing on the insulation material behind that. Many noticed chunks of blackened material that came off the building. Although architects’ drawings for Grenfell Tower seen by the Guardian show provisions for fire breaks in the cladding, it is not known whether it was installed that way. We know that a rainscreen system marketed under the Reynobond brand was used in cladding at Grenfell, but speculation is also focusing on the insulation material behind that. Many noticed chunks of blackened material that came off the building.
The FPA said building regulations did not cover the fire resilience of external cladding. It added that the materials used in cladding systems varied from non-combustible to highly flammable: “It is a matter of choice, and clearly some choices are better than others.”The FPA said building regulations did not cover the fire resilience of external cladding. It added that the materials used in cladding systems varied from non-combustible to highly flammable: “It is a matter of choice, and clearly some choices are better than others.”
The contractor, Rydon, said the works met building regulation standards.The contractor, Rydon, said the works met building regulation standards.
What about the new gas pipes in the central stairwell? Did they exacerbate the blaze?What about the new gas pipes in the central stairwell? Did they exacerbate the blaze?
A local councillor, Judith Blakeman, who sits on the tenant management organisation, raised concerns in March about the National Grid installation of gas risers or pipes in the main stairwell as part of the refurbishment. She was reassured by the landlord that they would be boxed in with “fire-rated” protection, but this does not appear to have been done. The London fire brigade said on Thursday morning they had not been able to put out the flames until they had isolated a ruptured gas main in the block. A local councillor, Judith Blakeman, who sits on the tenant management organisation, raised concerns in March about the National Grid installation of gas risers or pipes in the main stairwell as part of the refurbishment. She was assured by the landlord that they would be boxed in with “fire-rated” protection, but this does not appear to have been done. The London fire brigade said on Thursday morning they had not been able to put out the flames until they had isolated a ruptured gas main in the block.
How did the alarm system operate?How did the alarm system operate?
Several residents said they did not hear a building-wide alarm. One man said the first thing he heard was the sirens of emergency vehicles. How was the building’s alarm system set up?Several residents said they did not hear a building-wide alarm. One man said the first thing he heard was the sirens of emergency vehicles. How was the building’s alarm system set up?
More than one resident has claimed there was no central fire alarm system for the tower block – or that it had failed – and only smoke alarms in individual flats were working. Were they battery operated or hard-wired into the system? Board minutes suggest installing hard-wired fire alarms had been planned.More than one resident has claimed there was no central fire alarm system for the tower block – or that it had failed – and only smoke alarms in individual flats were working. Were they battery operated or hard-wired into the system? Board minutes suggest installing hard-wired fire alarms had been planned.
What impact did the “stay put” fire advice have?What impact did the “stay put” fire advice have?
According to the board minutes of the Kensington and Chelsea tenant management organisation, which runs the building, it has been engaged in “ongoing publicity to residents, particularly in relation to the ‘stay put’ fire strategy and procedures residents should follow in event of a fire in their flat or elsewhere in their block.” What impact did this advice have?According to the board minutes of the Kensington and Chelsea tenant management organisation, which runs the building, it has been engaged in “ongoing publicity to residents, particularly in relation to the ‘stay put’ fire strategy and procedures residents should follow in event of a fire in their flat or elsewhere in their block.” What impact did this advice have?
The “stay put” advice stems from longstanding strategies for fighting fires in “compartmentalised” high-rise buildings. It assumes that most fires can be contained behind each flat’s fireproof front door. Firefighters then isolate the fire and rescue tenants floor by floor. But if the fire spreads, the brigade commander should order an evacuation. The fire was not contained in a single flat in Grenfell Tower but spread rapidly.The “stay put” advice stems from longstanding strategies for fighting fires in “compartmentalised” high-rise buildings. It assumes that most fires can be contained behind each flat’s fireproof front door. Firefighters then isolate the fire and rescue tenants floor by floor. But if the fire spreads, the brigade commander should order an evacuation. The fire was not contained in a single flat in Grenfell Tower but spread rapidly.
So the outstanding questions are: why did the fire spread and why were so many people unable to get out?So the outstanding questions are: why did the fire spread and why were so many people unable to get out?
What about corporate manslaughter charges?What about corporate manslaughter charges?
The police, fire brigade and Health and Safety Executive have started investigations including a fingertip search and have said inquiries will be lengthy. Rachel Adamson, head of regulatory law at the law firm Stephensons, said corporate manslaughter charges were difficult to prove as they related to “the controlling mind of the business”. If an individual was considered to have been negligent, this may lead to a charge of manslaughter by gross negligence. A range of lesser potential charges include breach of fire regulations or health and safety regulations. Investigators will examine recent refurbishment work, whether building regulations have been complied with and what fire safety precautions were in place.The police, fire brigade and Health and Safety Executive have started investigations including a fingertip search and have said inquiries will be lengthy. Rachel Adamson, head of regulatory law at the law firm Stephensons, said corporate manslaughter charges were difficult to prove as they related to “the controlling mind of the business”. If an individual was considered to have been negligent, this may lead to a charge of manslaughter by gross negligence. A range of lesser potential charges include breach of fire regulations or health and safety regulations. Investigators will examine recent refurbishment work, whether building regulations have been complied with and what fire safety precautions were in place.
What should the public inquiry cover?What should the public inquiry cover?
Theresa May has responded positively to Jeremy Corbyn’s call for a rapid public inquiry chaired by a cabinet minister over the summer. It will examine what happened but also needs to look at wider questions such as the record of implementation of new fire safety rules agreed after a tower block fire at Lakanal House in Southwark in 2009, in which six people died.Theresa May has responded positively to Jeremy Corbyn’s call for a rapid public inquiry chaired by a cabinet minister over the summer. It will examine what happened but also needs to look at wider questions such as the record of implementation of new fire safety rules agreed after a tower block fire at Lakanal House in Southwark in 2009, in which six people died.
In March the then housing minister, Gavin Barwell, now Theresa May’s chief of staff, delayed the completion of a recommended review of part B of the 2010 building regulations. Failings in the Southwark fire included inadequate fire-risk assessments and panels on the exterior walls not providing the required fire resistance. A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesperson said the work on the building regulations’ review was ongoing, and would not give a date for when updated regulations would be published.In March the then housing minister, Gavin Barwell, now Theresa May’s chief of staff, delayed the completion of a recommended review of part B of the 2010 building regulations. Failings in the Southwark fire included inadequate fire-risk assessments and panels on the exterior walls not providing the required fire resistance. A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesperson said the work on the building regulations’ review was ongoing, and would not give a date for when updated regulations would be published.
What about tenants living in similar blocks around the country?What about tenants living in similar blocks around the country?
The policing and fire minister, Nick Hurd, has ordered checks to be carried out on tower blocks that have undergone similar refurbishments. Five London councils announced on Thursday that they would review the fire safety of their tower blocks. Local authorities around Britain took similar steps, with the Scottish government saying it was ready to take any actions necessary as lessons were learned from the Grenfell Tower fire.The policing and fire minister, Nick Hurd, has ordered checks to be carried out on tower blocks that have undergone similar refurbishments. Five London councils announced on Thursday that they would review the fire safety of their tower blocks. Local authorities around Britain took similar steps, with the Scottish government saying it was ready to take any actions necessary as lessons were learned from the Grenfell Tower fire.
Why are police refusing to give an estimate of the number of victims?
There has been anger from residents and people waiting for news of loved ones about the Met police’s refusal to issue an estimate of the number of dead. There are believed to be around 65 people missing and the Met could easily use this to issue guidance. But the answer is to some extent in the question – anything issued by the Met at this stage would be an estimate, which they are reluctant to give. Searches of the building continue and there have been something like 5,000 calls to the casualty bureau and 400 missing person reports, although some are multiple reports relating to the same people. But there are precedents for releasing official information about the number of missing: in the US authorities said soon after 9/11 that there were 3,000 people missing.
How long can relatives expect to wait before hearing of the fate of loved ones?
The Met’s emphasis on accuracy means identification can be painstakingly slow. This has prompted complaints by families after a number of incidents going as far back as 7/7. After the London Bridge attacks this month, the Spanish government said the failure of British authorities to provide details of the fate of Spaniard Ignacio Echeverría to his family was “a situation that isn’t far off being described as inhumane”.
The police were slow to confirm identities after the London Bridge attacks, in some cases even when people had ID on them, because they rely on one of three “primary investigation methods” – fingerprints, DNA and teeth. This led to the Met sending emails out confirming deaths days after family members had already identified them as victims. The police fear that identifying people too quickly could lead to calamitous mistakes being made, and after such a ferocious fire the process of identification is particularly difficult.