The final official investigation into the catastrophic 2017 blaze at Grenfell Tower, a residential complex in North Kensington, has verified that the loss of 72 lives in the tragic incident was “completely preventable”. The report criticises a range of parties, including multiple governments, the local authority who was deemed neglectful, its tenant managing body (TMO), as well as the architects, consultants, builders, and manufacturers, including the ones behind the combustible cladding blamed for rapid fire propagation. The London Fire Brigade was also denounced for ineffective leadership.
The report, overseen by Sir Martin Moore-Bick, highlights that the catastrophe was engendered by incompetence, intentional disregard prevalent in the construction industry, continuous refusal by all entities to take accountability for fire safety, and their continuous dismissal of emerging unsafe conditions based on new scientific studies.
The document pointedly emphasises the “inherent dishonesty” in marketing approaches by manufacturers, primarily Arconic but also the Irish company Kingspan, who were found to be advertising products they knew were unsuitable for tall structures. TMO’s relationship with residents and their established management of the building was strongly criticised, demonstrating a “chronic indifference” to fire safety.
The report, strongly worded in its conclusions, gives significant recommendations primarily aimed providing a roadmap towards a more regulated and professional construction industry, with a focus on developing a robust fire safety culture. It proposes establishing novel pathways of explicit legal accountability that would disqualify self-acclaimed yet uncredentialed professionals. It also mentions the need for independent certification for products to eliminate false marketing.
Families of the victims and those who lost their homes were provided with a transparent and uncompromising report yesterday. Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, expressed his remorse on behalf of the government. A criminal inquiry is set to scrutinise the report, a process that is foreseen to extend beyond 18 months. Despite concluding that “years of neglect” led to this calamity, it remains uncertain if criminal charges will be imposed.