Seven years after the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, which claimed 72 lives, the public inquiry has revealed that “systemic dishonesty” played a significant role in the disaster.
The 1,670-page report highlights years of missed opportunities to prevent the catastrophe and the influence of commercial interests on fire safety decisions.
A key finding of the inquiry was the “systemic dishonesty” by companies involved in the cladding and insulation of Grenfell Tower. The report accused Arconic Architectural Products of concealing the dangers of its Reynobond 55 PE rainscreen panels and Celotex of misleading the market about its RS5000 foam insulation. These actions contributed to the building being clad in highly combustible materials.
The report also criticised the regulatory system overseeing the construction and refurbishment of high-rise buildings, describing it as “seriously defective.” The government’s failure to monitor this system and address known dangers was highlighted, with the inquiry noting that officials were aware of the risks as early as 2016 but did not act.
Further scrutiny was directed at the Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, which were responsible for fire safety at Grenfell Tower. The report described a toxic relationship between the TMO and residents, marked by mistrust and indifference to fire safety.
To prevent future tragedies, the inquiry called for the establishment of an independent regulatory body to oversee the construction industry. This body would enforce rigorous standards, regulate construction products, and ensure proper fire safety practices, reporting directly to a government secretary of state.
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